Ouagadougou: Two calls for applications will be launched in April and September for the granting of subsidies to economic operators operating in the solar energy sector as part of the Regional Access to Energy project. Off-grid electricity (ROGEAP), we learned.
In Lomé, Togo, where the 2nd Information and Awareness Workshop on the implementation activities by ECOWAS and BOAD as part of the ROGEAP project was held on March 12 and 13, 2024, PFM officials ( Project Fund Manager) in charge of managing project funds informed that calls for applications will take place in the 19 member countries of the project.
The Fund Manager (PFM) project assists ECOWAS in the implementation of the project for SMEs which are in the sector covered by the project, that is to say in the field of Solar Energy.
Created in October 2023, the PFM launched the first phases of financing. Out of more than 1000 applications, 205 were selected, including 39 projects supported by women. ‘We quickly outlined the advantages of the 19 countri
es in order to be able to develop their off-grid electrification sector through SMEs with especially the growth of the activities of these SMEs in order to meet the needs of populations who will not have access to electricity. off-grid electricity by 2030,’ reassures Niyibizi MBanzabigwi, PFM team leader
Among the 19 countries in the project, 11 are eligible, access to PFM financing sources, ‘For countries which are not eligible, there will above all be the granting of credit lines for commercial banks so that they can support the private sector for the growth of SMEs or other local businesses in order to make materials or off-grid solar equipment available for populations who will not have access to off-grid electricity by 2023,’ said specified Niyibizi MBanzabigwi, PFM team leader
Two calls for applications will be opened in April and September 2024 in the 19 member countries of the project in order to support and promote initiatives aimed at accelerating population access to off-grid Energy. The planned
grant amounts vary between 25,000 to 250,000 US Dollars (15 to 150 million FCFA).
The regional off-grid electricity access project (ROGEAP) established by ECOWAS in partnership with the West African Development Bank (BOAD) officially started its activities in April 2022.
The project was launched at the regional level in October 2023 in Praia in Cape Verde with the objective of increasing ease of access to electricity in the 19 countries of the ECOWAS region and the Sahel using modern solar technology and autonomy through a harmonized regional approach.
Benin has already hosted the National workshop to raise awareness and build the capacity of stakeholders on regional standards for off-grid solar photovoltaic products.
Source: Burkina Information Agency