The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a €26.5 million financing package to support the development of a 62-megawatt greenfield solar photovoltaic power plant in Sokodé, Togo. This investment marks a significant step in the country’s shift towards renewable energy and sustainable development.
The funding includes up to €18.5 million in loans from the African Development Bank and a further €8 million in concessional financing from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), which is managed by the Bank. Additional co-financing will come from PROPARCO, the French development finance institution that supports private sector growth in emerging markets. Together, these contributions bring the total project cost to €61 million, exemplifying a successful public-private partnership model.
This solar initiative is crucial to Togo’s goal of reaching 200 MWp of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030. It will help the country move away from dependence on expensive and polluting thermal energy sources, thus improving energy security, stability, and access—key elements in Togo’s broader push for universal electricity access by the end of the decade.
“The Sokodé solar project is a landmark achievement that highlights Togo’s strong commitment to the transition to renewable energy in line with the Togo M300 energy compact under preparation, and the Bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting clean energy projects across the continent,” said Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth at the African Development Bank. He also stressed that the project would not only support renewable energy access but contribute to local economic development and energy reliability.
The plant is being developed by the French energy giant Électricité de France and will involve the design, construction, and operation of both the solar power facility and an 11-kilometre transmission line. Once completed, the installation is expected to generate around 87 gigawatt-hours of electricity each year, providing clean and affordable energy to local communities while reducing power shortages. It will also cut carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 13.6 thousand tonnes annually, aligning with Togo’s climate action goals under the Paris Agreement.
SEFA’s involvement in the project further demonstrates the potential for renewables in the region and is expected to stimulate additional investment in clean energy solutions.
The Sokodé project also aligns with the aims of the M300 energy compact by encouraging competitive and cost-effective power generation and strengthening private sector participation. It supports the African Development Bank Group’s “Light Up and Power Africa” initiative, which seeks to deliver sustainable and inclusive energy solutions throughout the continent.