AfDB Funds 18MW Solar Power Plant in Burkina Faso Under Desert-to-Power Initiative
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has committed €6 million to support the development of an 18-megawatt solar power plant in Dédougou, Burkina Faso.
The project forms part of the Desert-to-Power initiative, which aims to transform the Sahel region into a global solar energy hub.
Announced at a signing ceremony in Paris, the financing package includes a concessional loan and a reimbursable grant.
The project is co-financed by the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO), signaling strong private sector interest in renewable energy across West Africa.
As one of Burkina Faso’s first independent power producer (IPP) projects, the Dédougou solar plant is expected to significantly reshape the country’s energy sector.
It will reduce dependence on imported electricity, lower power costs, and expand access to affordable, reliable energy—particularly in underserved rural areas. Power generated will be sold to the national utility SONABEL under a long-term power purchase agreement.
Daniel Schroth, Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the AfDB, called the project a milestone for both Burkina Faso and the broader Sahel region, highlighting solar energy’s role in fostering inclusive development and strengthening energy security.
The project supports Burkina Faso’s national roadmap under the Desert-to-Power program and contributes to the AfDB’s larger goal of deploying 10 gigawatts of solar capacity and connecting 250 million people across 11 Sahel countries by 2030.
The plant will be developed by Qair Africa, which previously commissioned a 24MW solar facility in Zano. Qair sees the Dédougou project as a continuation of its commitment to scaling up renewable energy in the region and accelerating the country’s energy transition.
With a comprehensive environmental and social management system in place, the project aims to deliver sustainable local benefits—creating jobs, reducing fossil fuel dependency, and expanding economic opportunities, especially in rural communities where energy access remains limited.
