- Parliament of Burkina Faso approves a €45.7 million loan from China’s Export-Import Bank.
- Funds will construct a Donsin solar power plant and storage system.
In a significant move for the energy sector in Burkina Faso, the transitional parliament has approved a substantial loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. The €45.7 million loan will fund the Donsin solar power plant construction and its electricity storage system.
This underscores Burkina Faso’s evolving global partnerships, especially in energy infrastructure development. The Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT), consisting of 71 deputies, formally approved the loan agreement signed in September 2023.
The project, endorsed in February 2024 under President Ibrahim Traoré, involves a 25 MWp solar power plant at Donsin airport and a 5 MW/20 MWh battery electricity storage system. This initiative aligns with the goals of Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Quarries.
This aims to enhance energy security and increase the nation’s generating capacity. The country has a capacity of 714.4 MW, with a significant portion being imported.
It leads the region in solar energy production, with an installed capacity of 92 MWp, surpassing neighbouring countries like Mauritania, Ivory Coast, and Mali. Completing the Donsin solar power plant in 15 months will further boost Burkina Faso.