Senegal has launched a new solar electrification initiative aimed at extending clean and reliable energy access to more than 30,000 people in remote parts of the country.
This is part of the country’s national strategy to achieve universal electricity access by 2029.
The Director-General of the Senegalese Rural Electrification Agency (ASER), Jean Michel Sène, officially launched the ASER–IRENA project earlier in July in Dakar.
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Solar project to increase electricity access in rural Senegal
The programme, valued at 8 billion CFA francs (around $13 million), is being implemented in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).
The project is set to benefit communities in the regions of Matam, Saint-Louis, Louga, Kaffrine and Tambacounda, where access to electricity remains low.
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It will involve the installation and rehabilitation of mini solar PV power plants, with the aim of providing sustainable and decentralised energy to underserved populations.
“This launch marks a decisive step towards the goal of universal access to electricity by 2029,” Sène said.
Senegal has made significant progress in expanding electricity access, particularly in urban areas, where 97.3% of the population now has access to power, according to the latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
However, in rural areas, the access rate remains far lower at approximately 54.6%.
Building out energy infrastructure in Senegal
The ASER–IRENA initiative is part of a broader rural electrification strategy that relies on international partnerships to accelerate clean energy deployment.
The use of solar mini-grids is a key component of Senegal’s approach.
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The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has previously supported similar projects across Africa through its collaboration with IRENA, which helps channel concessional funding into renewable energy infrastructure.
Once completed, the new solar facilities are expected to enhance socio-economic conditions in targeted communities by improving access to education, healthcare, and productive energy use.
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