AfDB and partners to install 10 GW solar power in Africa

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The African Development Bank (AfDB), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Africa50 investment fund have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on the Desert to Power programme, which aims to develop 10,000 MW of solar energy across the Sahel region.

The Sahel is the transition zone between the Sahara desert and the Sudanian Savanna. Spanning 5,400km in length and over three million square kilometres, it is thought to have potential to become the world’s largest solar power zone. The estimated population is 400 million; over half do not have access to electricity.

The region covers parts of fourteen countries, including Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, Cameroon and the Central African Republic. Renewable energy investment is a priority in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. 

The Desert to Power programme is intended to provide solar-generated electricity to 250 million people, including 90 million through off grid solutions, thereby enabling the development of agriculture and other economic activities.

The three institutions agreed that they will share ideas and resources about opportunities to make solar power available throughout the Sahel region, transforming African deserts into new sources of renewable energy.

The initiative will protect the Great Green Wall, an 8000km-long, 15km-wide wall of trees being established to protect against desertification in the Sahel zone, from being cut down by energy-poor households for use as fuel wood.

GCF Executive Director, Howard Bamsey, commented:

“The Desert to Power programme will transform countries in the Sahel region by accelerating their access to energy through solar power. To realize this ambition, strong collaboration is needed. Therefore the partnership with the Green Climate Fund and Africa 50 is a great milestone and will help us deliver at scale.”

Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50, stated:

“This agreement allows us to leverage our project development capabilities and build a bigger pipeline of bankable projects that will provide millions of people and businesses on the continent with clean and affordable energy.”