- InfraCo and Bonergie Irrigation have reached an agreement to distribute solar irrigation systems to farmers in Senegal.
- This renewed partnership follows a 2019 pilot project where both companies distributed over 100 solar pumps.
- Both companies believe that this initiative will strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate change.
InfraCo Africa and Bonergie Irrigation have signed an agreement to accelerate the deployment of solar-powered irrigation systems in Senegal. Both companies had in 2019 established Bonergie Irrigation, a local Special Purpose Vehicle, to deploy over 100 solar-powered irrigation systems in a pilot project. Following this, InfraCo has signed a renewed Shareholders’ Agreement and a Loan Agreement with Bonergie Irrigation SAS to continue supporting the scale-up of the project.
InfraCo will acquire minor shares in Bonergie Irrigation and provide $2.4 million to distribute at least 2,000 solar pumps over the next three years. This project both companies hope will increase farmers’ resiliency in the face of climate change.
InfraCo Africa CEO Gilles Vaes noted that the company is excited to continue to work with Bonergie Irrigation to scale up its offering to farmers in Senegal. “Access to solar-powered irrigation systems will replace existing diesel pumps, providing farmers with a more sustainable solution,” Vaes added. In addition, CEO of Bonergie Irrigation SAS, Gabriele Schwarz, noted, “the nexus of Water-Energy-Food is one of the main topics for the coming years. Bonergie Irrigation SAS and InfraCo Africa are in a perfect position to develop this market in Senegal.”
Bonergie also plans to roll out over 500 drip irrigation systems, which will optimise irrigation efficiency while protecting groundwater sources from over-abstraction. The solar systems come in varying sizes, and the company offers a financing model that offsets costs for farmers over time.