- AfDB will release $10.53 million to increase energy access-Côte d’Ivoire.
- Access to electricity in these localities will translate to economic benefits for the country.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will release $10.53 million through its concessional financing window to increase energy access-Côte d’Ivoire. The funds, comprising a $ 2.27m grant and an $8.26m loan, will grant approximately 500,000 citizens of Côte d’Ivoire access to affordable and clean energy. The electrification project as part of the ‘Electricity for All Program’ initiative will connect 739 rural localities in the western district of Montages, in the Zanzan, north-east district and Savanes and Woroba northern districts.
The African Development Bank’s director general for West Africa, Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, said that the project would impact the national economy socially, economically and financially. He further said that the project will connect about 7168 businesses and 71,660 households, about 15% of them managed by women, to the grid.
As part of the project impact, the project also plans to support about 100 women groups to procure electrically operated equipment to aid their businesses. It will also facilitate the integration of young boys and girls who have completed school or vocational training into the workplace through the internship. Also, access to electricity in these localities will translate to economic benefits for the country.