In a major step toward reducing energy poverty and enhancing sustainable development, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), under the African Development Bank (AfDB), has committed €6 million to finance the 18-megawatt Dédougou Solar Power Plant in western Burkina Faso. The investment is a strategic part of the Desert-to-Power initiative, a regional drive to turn the Sahel into the world’s largest solar energy zone.
Announced at a signing ceremony in Paris on July 18, the financing package includes a €2.5 million senior concessional loan and a €3.5 million reimbursable grant. The project also attracted co-financing from the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO), demonstrating growing private sector interest in West Africa’s renewable energy sector.
As one of Burkina Faso’s earliest independent power producer (IPP) projects, the Dédougou plant represents a key turning point for the country’s electricity landscape. It is expected to reduce dependency on energy imports, lower electricity tariffs, and improve access to affordable, reliable power for households and businesses—especially in underserved rural areas. The plant will operate under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the national electricity utility, SONABEL.
“This project is a milestone for Burkina Faso and the broader Sahel region,” said Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank. “It exemplifies how solar energy can drive inclusive, sustainable development while strengthening regional energy resilience.”
The Dédougou plant is part of Burkina Faso’s national Desert-to-Power roadmap, which supports the African Development Bank’s wider ambition to install 10 gigawatts of solar capacity and connect 250 million people across 11 Sahel countries by 2030. The project’s developer, Qair Africa, previously commissioned a 24 MW solar plant in Zano in 2023 and is rapidly expanding its footprint across the region.
Abdoulaye Toure, CFO of Qair Africa, called the Dédougou initiative a natural next step. “This second project reflects our commitment to accelerating the energy transition in Burkina Faso and beyond. We are grateful to SEFA and FMO for their trust and support in making impactful infrastructure a reality.”
The project has also integrated a robust Environmental and Social Management System to ensure responsible operations. In a country where only around 20% of rural households have access to electricity, the Dédougou plant is expected to directly enhance livelihoods by supporting economic activity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and creating jobs during construction and operation.
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Beyond Burkina Faso, the Desert-to-Power initiative is gaining momentum across the Sahel, with similar solar plants already commissioned or underway in Mali, Niger, Chad, and Senegal. The initiative is widely seen as a cornerstone of Africa’s clean energy future—especially in regions facing high solar potential, climate vulnerability, and limited grid infrastructure.
By combining concessional financing with private-sector execution, the Dédougou project underscores a growing recognition: that Africa’s path to energy independence lies not just in scaling generation, but in doing so sustainably, inclusively, and with long-term resilience in mind.
