- Afdb approves €26.5m for a 62 MWp solar power plant in Sokodé, led by EDF and co-financed by Proparco.
- Project to generate 87 GWh annually, cutting 13,600 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and improving energy access in Togo.
- Supports Togo’s 2030 renewable energy goals and aligns with Afdb’s “Light Up and Power Africa” strategy.
The African Development Bank Group (Afdb) has approved €26.5 million ($28.57 million) to fund a new solar power plant in Sokodé, central Togo. Électricité de France (EDF), a French utility company, will lead the 62 megawatt-peak (MWp) project.
Proparco, the private-sector financing arm of the French Development Agency (AFD), will co-finance the project. The developers estimate the total project cost to be €61 million ($65.83 million). EDF will handle the design, construction, and operation of the plant.
The Afdb will provide a €18.5 million ($19.94 million) loan and a €8 million ($8.63 million) concessional loan from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). The Afdb manages SEFA to support renewable energy investments across the continent.
The plant will generate 87 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity each year. This output will help Togo address its electricity deficit and improve national energy access. The plant will also cut 13,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Project developers will connect the facility to the national grid through an 11-kilometre transmission line. As part of its national energy plan, Togo aims to install 200 MWp of renewable energy by 2030. The government wants to reduce its dependence on thermal power, improve supply reliability, and lower generation costs.
Afdb expects the project to attract more private investment into Togo’s energy sector. “This supports Togo’s efforts to expand energy access through renewables,” said Kevin Kariuki, Afdb Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth. “It also supports economic growth and energy security,” he added.
SEFA’s concessional loan will help close the financing gap and lower investment risks. The fund’s involvement shows the project’s technical and financial strength. Afdb sees this as a model for future renewable projects in the region.
The project aligns with Togo’s M300 Energy Compact. The initiative promotes competitive tenders to lower electricity generation costs. It also encourages more private sector participation in energy development.
This project advances the Afdb’s “Light Up and Power Africa” strategy. The programme prioritises clean energy solutions across Africa and seeks to bring foreign capital into the continent’s energy markets.
Togo plans to use the Sokodé solar plant to create jobs and improve rural livelihoods. Through this investment, the country also aims to strengthen its electricity infrastructure. EDF and its partners expect the project to stimulate local economic activity.
Afdb, EDF, SEFA, and Proparco have joined forces to back this major energy project. Their involvement signals growing international support for clean energy in Africa. The Sokodé solar project reflects Togo’s strong push toward a sustainable and resilient energy future.