The Burkina Faso Electrification Project for Semi-Urban Areas of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso has boosted the country’s electric power network with 32,449 new connections.

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project has already exceeded its target of 17,500 connections.

Development Diaries reports that much of the financing for the $52.15 million project was provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB), with the National Electricity Corporation of Burkina Faso providing an additional 15 percent, and the government of Burkina Faso contributing the remaining 13 percent.

The bank said in its August 2022 report on implementation and results that 200 jobs have been created so far through the project, which is expected to generate 350 jobs in total.

Currently at the halfway point, the project has facilitated the construction of 178 kilometres of underground medium-voltage network and 177 kilometres of overhead medium-voltage network, according to the bank.

‘In addition, 191 overhead medium voltage/low voltage pole-mounted transformer substations and 153 kiosk medium voltage/low voltage substations have been constructed, a further 18 medium voltage/low voltage substations have been reinforced, and 87 kiosk medium voltage/low voltage substations renovated’, the statement read.

The bank noted that as a result of the project, the electricity network in Ouagadougou recorded an increase in customers, from 270,306 to 287,296 as of 31 March, 2022.

‘The project’s performance is deemed highly satisfactory, and all the objectives have been met or will be met before the scheduled close of the project in December 2023’, the AfDB report read.

‘The balance of funds allocated for competitive bidding will be used to enhance the project’s impact by providing public lighting in electrified areas’.

Photo source: AfDB