Côte d’Ivoire strengthens its clean energy transition

National Hydropower Production: AFD Provides CFA 85.274 Billion to Finance the Water and Sun Alliance (WASUNA) Programme

During the Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan-Plateau, the Ivorian government adopted a decree ratifying a €130 million (approximately CFA 85.274 billion) loan agreement signed on April 2, 2026, between the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to finance the Water and Sun Alliance (WASUNA) Programme.

According to government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly, the WASUNA Programme aims to secure, expand, and decarbonize Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity production by rehabilitating the country's hydropower infrastructure, representing approximately 20% of the current national electricity generation capacity, while also developing new solar power generation and energy storage facilities.

The programme includes the implementation of 10 major infrastructure projects, notably:

• The rehabilitation of six hydroelectric power plants: Buyo, Taabo, Ayamé I, Ayamé II, Fayé, and Kossou;

• The construction of two solar power plants;

• The installation of two battery energy storage systems at the Soubré and Gribo-Popoli dam sites.

The WASUNA Programme is expected to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s energy security, support the country's transition toward cleaner energy sources, and contribute to achieving its long-term sustainable development and climate objectives.