- The African Development Bank Group has approved a financing package totaling €26.5 million to support the development of a 62 MW geenfield solar photovoltaic power plant in Sokodé, Togo.
The financing includes a loan of up to €18.5 million from the African Development Bank and a concessional loan of up to €8 million from the Bank-managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). PROPACO, the French development finance agency focused on private sector growth in emerging markets, will provide additional co-financing, positioning the €61 million project as a model of effective public-private collaboration.
This project is critical for achieving Togo’s target of installing 200 MWp of renewable energy capacity by 2030. It will pave the way for the country’s energy transition away from costly and polluting thermal generation, enhancing energy security and reliability, and accelerating the path to universal access by 2030.
“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 noted that the project not only supports Togo’s efforts to access to energy through renewables but also stimulates local economic growth and enhances the country’s energy security and reliability.
Developed by Meridiam and the French multinational power utility company Électricité de France, the project entails the design, construction, and operating of the greenfield solar plant and an 11 km transmission line in Sokodé. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate 87 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, delivering clean, reliable, and affordable power to communities while addressing energy deficits. It will also help reduce annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 13.6 thousand tons, contributing to Togo’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
SEFA’s support for the Sokode Solar PV Project underscores the viability of renewable energy and catalyze further clean energy investments in the region.
The project also supports Togo’s M300 energy compact by driving least-cost power generation through competitive bidding and boosting private sector involvement. It aligns with the African Development Bank Group’s “Light Up and Power Africa” goal to advance sustainable, inclusive energy solutions across the continent.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
