African Development Bank Approves €103 Million Project To Expand Electricity Access Across Côte d’Ivoire

On 15 May 2026, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved €103.14 million in financing for Côte d’Ivoire to expand electricity access and improve power distribution services across the country. The funding will support the second phase of the Project to Strengthen Electrical System Infrastructure and Electricity Access (PROSER II), which aims to connect more than 100,000 households to the national electricity grid and strengthen energy infrastructure in both rural and urban areas.

PROSER II has a total project cost of €234.56 million. Alongside the African Development Bank’s contribution, the project will receive €83.96 million in co-financing from the Islamic Development Bank and €47.46 million from the Government of Côte d’Ivoire.The project will focus on expanding electricity access in 244 rural localities across 18 regions of the country.

It will also support the extension, rehabilitation, and strengthening of electricity distribution networks in Greater Abidjan, several regions in the interior of the country, and 12 departmental capitals. These upgrades are expected to improve the reliability and quality of electricity services for households, businesses, and public institutions.

A major objective of the project is to connect more than 107,000 households to the national grid, helping thousands of families gain access to reliable electricity for the first time. In addition, the project will install 74,010 energy-efficient LED public lighting fixtures. These modern lighting systems are expected to improve public safety, reduce electricity consumption, lower maintenance costs, and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Lamin Barrow, Director General of the African Development Bank Group for West Africa, the approval of PROSER II represents an important step in strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity sector. He noted that the project will provide more reliable and higher-quality electricity services while supporting local economic development and improving living conditions for communities across the country.

The initiative is closely aligned with Côte d’Ivoire’s goal of achieving universal access to electricity by 2030. Particular attention will be given to rural communities, underserved populations, and rapidly growing urban centres where demand for electricity continues to increase. The project also supports the country’s National Development Plan 2026–2030 and National Energy Compact 2025–2030.

In addition, PROSER II aligns with several strategic priorities of the African Development Bank Group, including its Country Strategy Paper for Côte d’Ivoire (2023–2028), the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy 2024–2033, and its broader objective of building climate-resilient infrastructure while promoting sustainable economic development.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the project includes a strong social and institutional development component. It will support initiatives aimed at improving youth employability and promoting the economic empowerment of women in the targeted regions. The project will also help strengthen the capacity of institutions responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring activities within the electricity sector, ensuring more effective management and long-term sustainability.

The second phase builds on the achievements of PROSER I, which was approved by the African Development Bank in March 2020. The Bank contributed €62.35 million to the first phase, representing 40% of the project’s total cost of €156.03 million. As the project nears completion, it has already exceeded expectations by electrifying 1,509 localities, surpassing its original target.

It also facilitated the construction of 9,838 kilometres of medium- and low-voltage distribution lines and the installation of 1,527 transformer substations, significantly expanding electricity access across the country.With PROSER II, Côte d’Ivoire aims to build on this progress, further expanding access to reliable electricity, supporting economic growth, improving public services, and advancing its long-term energy and development goals.