Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — In a landmark move towards sustainable energy transformation, ministers from six Sahel countries have approved bold reforms aimed at accelerating solar energy investments in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
At the heart of this new momentum is the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Desert to Power Initiative, held under the leadership of the African Development Bank (AfDB). The high-level gathering, chaired by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Energy, Yacouba Zabré Gouba, brought together senior officials from Djibouti, Niger, Chad, Mali, and Mauritania. Together, they gave the green light to two pivotal documents: the Independent Power Producers (IPP) Common Protocol and the Green Mini-Grid Strategy.
These strategic blueprints are expected to unlock large-scale private investment in solar and mini-grid projects across the Sahel — a region where electrification rates remain critically low, yet solar energy potential is among the highest in the world.
“This 5th Desert to Power Ministerial Meeting marks a new beginning,” declared Minister Gouba. “We must double our efforts and work together to achieve our shared vision.”
Standardizing Success: The IPP Common Protocol
Developed in collaboration with the Desert to Power Taskforce and the African Legal Support Facility, the IPP Common Protocol aims to harmonize regulatory frameworks, minimize project delays, and amplify the impact of private-sector-led solar initiatives. This means faster project approval timelines, more bankable power purchase agreements, and a more investor-friendly climate throughout the Sahel corridor.
According to AfDB Vice President for Energy, Dr. Kevin Kariuki, this protocol is a potential game-changer.
“The Common Protocol is a game-changer for unlocking private solar investment in the Sahel,” he said. “It’s a critical tool to attract capital, build trust, and ensure speed.”
Mini-Grids, Mega Potential
The endorsed Green Mini-Grid Strategy further complements regional ambitions by focusing on decentralized energy solutions, particularly for rural and off-grid communities. Mini-grids are poised to play a key role in rapidly closing the energy access gap, bringing reliable electricity to areas where national grids may take decades to reach.
With over 15 solar and hybrid projects already underway, ministers emphasized the importance of building local technical capacity, engaging communities, and creating job opportunities around clean energy value chains.
From Vision to Reality: A Field Visit to Gonsin
The ministerial meeting concluded with a symbolic and practical field visit to Burkina Faso’s Gonsin solar plant — a 42 MWp facility equipped with 10 MW of battery storage. The plant stands as a beacon of what’s possible through regional collaboration and development financing.
Located just outside Ouagadougou, Gonsin showcases how policy, partnership, and investment can come together to deliver clean, stable power to thousands of homes and businesses, reducing reliance on costly fossil fuel imports and diesel generators.
Looking Ahead: Mission 300 and Beyond
In closing, Dr. Kariuki called on Sahel nations to fully leverage the Mission 300 platform — a joint initiative between the AfDB and the World Bank, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
This latest ministerial milestone sends a strong message: the Sahel is not just ready for solar investment — it is leading the charge.
As Africa navigates its energy future, initiatives like Desert to Power prove that collaborative, policy-driven action can transform challenges into opportunities — lighting up lives, economies, and entire nations.
