Omanghana
Burkina Faso has secured a $300 million loan from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) to finance the construction of the country’s largest power plant, marking a major step in its drive to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on imported electricity.
The project will be developed in partnership with Turkish energy company Aksa Enerji and will see the construction of a 119-megawatt heavy fuel oil (HFO) thermal power plant in the capital, Ouagadougou. Commercial operations are expected to begin in 2027.
The investment is one of the most significant energy infrastructure projects undertaken by Burkina Faso and forms part of President Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s broader strategy to address chronic electricity shortages, improve national infrastructure, and advance the country’s goal of achieving greater energy sovereignty.
Largest Power Plant in Burkina Faso
Once completed, the new thermal facility will significantly expand Burkina Faso’s electricity generation capacity and help stabilize power supplies for households and businesses.
The project’s key objectives include:
- Construction of a 119-megawatt heavy fuel oil thermal power plant in Ouagadougou.
- Reducing the country’s dependence on imported electricity by more than 50%.
- Expanding electricity access in a country where only about 20% of the population currently has reliable access to power.
- Providing a stable and continuous electricity supply to support industrial development, private sector investment, and Burkina Faso’s growing mining industry.
Government officials expect the project to improve grid reliability while creating a stronger foundation for long-term economic growth.
Supporting Energy Sovereignty
The agreement with Aksa Enerji is part of a broader national plan to modernize Burkina Faso’s energy sector and reduce its reliance on external electricity supplies.
The state-owned electricity utility, SONABEL, has launched several major initiatives aimed at increasing domestic power generation and strengthening the national grid.
Among the key projects are:
- Construction of 12 regional thermal power plants to improve electricity coverage across the country.
- Expansion of renewable energy, including solar mini-grids and an 18-megawatt solar project in Dédougou, to increase domestic electricity production beyond its current level.
- A $70 million investment in a strategic hydrocarbon storage facility in neighboring Ghana, designed to strengthen fuel security and ensure a reliable supply for power generation.
Boosting Economic Growth
Reliable electricity remains one of Burkina Faso’s biggest development challenges, with limited access constraining industrial activity and economic expansion.
By increasing domestic generation capacity, the new power plant is expected to reduce power shortages, improve energy reliability for businesses, and support key sectors such as manufacturing and mining.
The project also aligns with the government’s broader efforts to build resilient infrastructure and reduce vulnerability to external energy disruptions, reinforcing Burkina Faso’s long-term objective of achieving greater energy independence.
Source: Omanghana
