Côte d’Ivoire Advances Renewable Energy With 50 MWc KONG Solar Power Plant

In a significant stride towards bolstering its energy mix, Côte d’Ivoire marked a milestone with the signing ceremony of the KONG Solar Convention. The event, held at the Sciam building in Abidjan-Plateau, solidified plans for the construction of a 50 MWc photovoltaic solar power plant in Kong, spanning 50 hectares within the Tchologo region.

The agreement, forged between the State of Côte d’Ivoire represented by the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy and the Ministry of Finance and Budget, and KONG Solaire, underscores the country’s commitment to ramping up renewable energy capacity. This initiative aligns with President Alassane Ouattara’s vision to elevate the share of renewable energies in the national energy mix from just over 30% to 45% by 2030, positioning Côte d’Ivoire as a regional energy hub.

Minister of Energy Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly emphasized the strategic importance of these projects in meeting the country’s energy needs, projecting a near-tripling of electricity production capacity by 2040 to 8,600 MW. This expansion aims to support economic growth while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and honoring international climate commitments.

The KONG Solar project, financed entirely by KONG Solaire under a Public-Private Partnership with the state, represents an investment exceeding 37 billion FCFA. Scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2026, the plant is expected to create 70 jobs during construction and generate 230 direct and indirect jobs during operation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Finance and Budget Minister Adama Coulibaly highlighted the government’s support for renewable energy development through tax incentives, including exemptions on imported materials and equipment crucial for sector investment.

Minkaïla Salami, Managing Director of Africa Via and President of KONG Solaire, expressed gratitude for the government’s confidence in their company, emphasizing the project’s potential to enhance socio-economic development in energy-deficient regions of Côte d’Ivoire.

The KONG Solar initiative signifies a pivotal step towards sustainable energy expansion in Côte d’Ivoire, promising both economic growth and environmental stewardship.