- The World Bank Group has approved the provision of a $22.5 million grant for an off-grid electrification project in Subsaharan Africa.
- The project will support the development of a stand-alone solar systems market in West and Central Africa.
Clean Technology Funds (CTF) and the International Development Association (IDA), a part of the World Bank Group, has approved the provision of a $22.5 million grant for the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (Rogep). The project launched in 2019, is being implemented by the West African Development Bank (BOAD). According to the World Bank, the operation will support developing a stand-alone solar systems market in West and Central Africa, particularly in the Sahel countries. “It complements the operation approved in April 2019, financed with $150 million from IDA and $67.2 million from CTF, ” stated the Bank.
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Rogep will provide electricity access to 1.7 million people in 19 countries across West and Central Africa, including the 15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Cameroon and Mauritania. The project will facilitate the provision of solar home systems (SHS) ranging from 20 to 350 kWp and tailored electricity supply services. Rogep will also provide support to policymakers to help create an enabling environment for developing a regional stand-alone solar systems market.
In West Africa and the Sahel, despite 208 million people without electricity access, only 3 per cent of households utilise a solar home system.