The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has approved 11 new operations totaling 344.577 billion FCFA to boost regional investment. Announced during its 151st ordinary session in Lomé, these funds target food security, energy transition, and transport infrastructure, raising the bank’s total lifetime financing to over 10,834.1 billion FCFA.
How much is BOAD investing in West African food security?
The bank is allocating 70 billion FCFA specifically to bolster agricultural stability across the region. According to the BOAD board of directors, this funding is split between two major regional projects aimed at increasing production capacity.
Niger will receive 30 billion FCFA for the Office national des aménagements hydro-agricoles (ONAHA). This capital is intended to expand irrigated land areas within the country. Meanwhile, Togo is set to receive 40 billion FCFA for the second phase of the Programme d’appui à la mécanisation agricole et à l’irrigation (ProMAI), focusing on modernizing farming tools and water management.
Which energy projects will drive the regional transition?
Energy infrastructure receives a significant portion of the newly approved 344.577 billion FCFA. The bank is funding a mix of solar, thermal, and diesel-based solutions to address varying national needs.
Mali is slated to receive 44.368 billion FCFA for a 50 MWc solar photovoltaic plant in the Koulikoro region. This project includes a 25 MW/50 MWh storage system to manage energy consistency. In Burkina Faso, the bank has approved 45 billion FCFA for the fifth phase of the Komsilga thermal power plant extension. Niger will also benefit from 30.609 billion FCFA to upgrade its grid via diesel plants and solar mini-stations equipped with battery storage.
Comparing Energy Strategies: Solar vs. Thermal
The bank’s current strategy shows a split approach to energy security. While Mali is moving toward high-capacity solar storage, Burkina Faso is prioritizing the expansion of existing thermal infrastructure. This suggests that BOAD is tailoring its energy investments to the specific current capacities and stability requirements of each member state.
What impact will these funds have on transport and industry?
The 151st session also addressed large-scale logistics and industrial expansion. These investments aim to reduce trade friction and increase manufacturing
