“Togo’s vision regarding universal power access is a first of a kind in Africa” - IFC
Thursday, 02 August 2018 06:18 
(Togo First) - The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced its support to Togo’s national electrification strategy which aims to achieve universal access to power by 2030.
This strategy provides a roadmap to tackle issues that slow the expansion of Togo’s power grid, in remote areas especially. It also plans to involve alternative power sources such as off-grid.
It also recommends that private and viable investment projects are developed to this end. It promotes public-private partnerships and seeks to identify how public and mixed funds can be better allocated.
It should be noted that currently, only 40% of Togo’s population has access to electricity. In rural areas, this figure stands below 10%.
The new strategy was approved during a meeting held under the patronage of Togo’s Prime Minister. The document was also backed by Ségolène Royal, Special envoy of the French president’s International Solar Alliance.
According to IFC’s representative in Togo, Ronke-Amoni Ogunsulire, “Togo’s vision regarding universal power access is a first of a kind in Africa”. “This is because it integrates off-grid solutions and involves the private sector. It allows the government to create markets by identifying zones with a strong potential for mini-grids and by attracting top-class power providers”, she added.
In line with the government’s new vision, the power sector’s regulatory framework is being reformed. This will help organize a first tender for the installation of 60 mini solar grids before the end of 2020. These facilities will in turn allow 10,000 households to have access to power via a public-private partnership.
