The government of Cote d’Ivoire made progress on 100MW of solar power schemes in late October.

This includes the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the energy ministry with Nairobi-based independent power producer (IPP) Serengeti Energy for the development of a 50MW solar plant in the country’s north.

Serengeti Energy will work alongside its local partner on the facility, which will be located in Sinematiali in the Poro region. The firm says a kick-off meeting will be held with key stakeholders in the near future to initiate the project’s development.

According to Serengeti Energy’s CEO Anton-Louis Olivier, Sinematiali’s strategic location and strong grid connectivity make it an ideal site for the scheme.

The IPP says the solar project aligns with its focus on West Africa as a key area for renewable energy development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Currently, 30% of Cote d’Ivoire’s energy mix comes from renewable energy and the government plans to increase this contribution to 45% by 2030. To date, the authorities have invested more than CFA Franc 60 billion (US$98 million) on clean energy projects

In late October, the council of ministers also approved the concession agreement with Kong Solaire for the design, financing, construction, operation and transfer of a 50MW photovoltaic (PV) solar plant in Kong in the northern Tchologo region.

Kong Solaire, jointly owned by UK-headquartered InfraCo Africa and local developer Africa Via, inked the concession deal with the energy and finance ministries and Cote d'Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) in early July. Commissioning is planned for the third quarter of 2026.

The CFA franc 37.5 billion (US$61.3 million) plant will be built across 50 hectares and will be connected to the grid through a transmission line and nearby substation. It is planned to provide more than 92,304MWh of electricity a year to about 240,000 people.

Meanwhile, the government is also looking to build a training centre (CFA) for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Sinematiali. The authorities recognise that the accelerated development of renewable energies can drive job creation in the country. 

The CFA's objective is to train 2,000 Ivorians a year in technical skills for installing and maintaining PV and thermal solar and biomass systems. The overall aims are to sustainably support the growth of renewables and the electrification of rural areas in Cote d'Ivoire.

Work on the CFA includes constructing blocks for administration, training and accommodation, along with external infrastructure such as car parks and utility networks.

The project is to be carried out in three phases over 12 months at a cost of CFA Franc 4.3 billion (US$7.1 million). The implementing agency is the  Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Apprenticeship (METFPA).

The scheme's environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) report was approved by the environment ministry in late July. The African Development Bank (AfDB) is expected to support the project.

Top photo: Serengeti Energy solar plant (Source: Serengeti Energy)