The Ivory Coast is set to enhance the digitalisation of its power grid while optimizing energy access leveraging a financing package secured from the World Bank. - Energy Capital Power

The Ivorian government will utilize the World Bank’s financing to implement its $300 million National Electricity Digitalisation and Access (NEDA) initiative which is designed to boost energy access for some 1.8 million consumers in the northern and western parts of the country.

The project will cover 20% of the country’s new connections as part of efforts by the government to achieve universal energy access. More than 3,440 kilometers (km) of new energy distribution lines will be installed to support the country’s National Network Extension Program which aims to expand the grid to meet growing energy demand. Of the new consumers to be connected to the grid, more than half will be women, according to a statement.

The grid digitalisation initiative will include national utility, CI-Energies, installing 184 km of fiber optic cables from Ferkéssedougou to Odiénné to enhance the digital capabilities of its operations. Several regional control and distribution centers will be equipped with remote monitoring systems, and medium-voltage lines and substations equipped with smart electronic devices to reduce outage times as well as enhance the resilience of the grid against cyber attacks.

Ivory Coast has been making significant investments in the electricity sector for several decades with a view to providing the population and businesses with universal access to reliable and affordable electricity services. Continued investment is critical to supporting the structural transformation of the economy and the emergence of transformative activities across the country.

Coralie Gevers, World Bank Country Director for Ivory Coast, Benin, Guinea, and Togo

The project is part of the government’s National Development Plan 2021–2025, which seeks to accelerate the growth of the wider economy.