Côte d’Ivoire Secures €103 Million Funding to Expand Electricity Access

African Development Bank Group Director General for West Africa Lamin Barrow described the approval of PROSER II as an important milestone in strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity system.

Côte d'Ivoire is set to accelerate its drive toward universal electricity access after securing more than €103 million in financing from the African Development Bank Group for the second phase of a major national electrification programme. Approved by the Bank's Board of Directors on 15 May 2026, the funding will support the second phase of the Project to Strengthen Electrical System Infrastructure and Electricity Access (PROSER II), which aims to improve electricity services and expand access across 18 regions of the country.

The project has a total value of €234.56 million. Alongside the African Development Bank's contribution, the Islamic Development Bank will provide €83.96 million, while the Government of Côte d'Ivoire will contribute €47.46 million. Officials say the programme will help bring reliable electricity to thousands of households while strengthening the national power distribution network to meet growing demand in both urban and rural areas.

Rural Communities and Growing Cities to Benefit

A central objective of PROSER II is to expand access to electricity in underserved communities. The project will support the electrification of 244 rural localities spread across 18 regions, helping extend essential services to communities that currently have limited or no connection to the national grid. The initiative is expected to connect more than 107,000 households to electricity, providing families with improved access to lighting, communication technologies and economic opportunities.

Large-scale investments will also be directed toward strengthening and rehabilitating electricity distribution networks in Greater Abidjan, several interior regions and 12 departmental capitals. These upgrades are designed to improve the reliability and quality of electricity services while supporting future economic growth. The project includes the installation of 74,010 energy-efficient LED streetlights. Authorities expect the new lighting systems to improve public safety, lower energy consumption and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Electricity Expansion Supports National Development Goals

African Development Bank Group Director General for West Africa Lamin Barrow described the approval of PROSER II as an important milestone in strengthening Côte d'Ivoire's electricity system. He said the project will help deliver more reliable and higher-quality electricity services while supporting local economic activity and improving living conditions for people in the targeted regions.

The initiative aligns closely with Côte d'Ivoire's ambition to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. Particular attention is being given to rural communities, underserved populations and rapidly expanding urban centres where demand for electricity continues to rise.

PROSER II also supports several national development priorities, including the country's National Development Plan 2026–2030 and the National Energy Compact 2025–2030. The project is equally aligned with the African Development Bank Group's Country Strategy Paper for Côte d'Ivoire and its broader Ten-Year Strategy 2024–2033, which emphasizes sustainable infrastructure and economic transformation.

Beyond Power Infrastructure: Focus on Jobs and Inclusion

The programme extends beyond the construction of electricity infrastructure and includes measures aimed at generating broader social and economic benefits. Targeted initiatives will focus on improving youth employability and supporting the economic empowerment of women in the project areas. These efforts are intended to ensure that communities benefit not only from improved access to electricity but also from expanded economic opportunities.

Institutional strengthening is another major component of the project. Resources will be directed toward enhancing the planning, implementation and monitoring capabilities of organizations responsible for managing the electricity sector. The second phase builds on the achievements of PROSER I, which was approved in March 2020 and is now approaching completion. That phase exceeded expectations by electrifying 1,509 localities, surpassing its original target by nine percent.

It also resulted in the construction of nearly 10,000 kilometres of medium- and low-voltage distribution lines and the installation of more than 1,500 transformer substations, significantly expanding the country's electricity infrastructure. With PROSER II now moving forward, Côte d'Ivoire is taking another major step toward ensuring that reliable electricity reaches more communities, supports economic development and contributes to a more inclusive and sustainable future.