Senegal plans to electrify 300 villages with the support of Germany. This decision was announced by Senegalese President Macky Sall during the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Access to village electrification will be by solar energy led by German companies.

“This is a strong signal to go beyond the donor-recipient relationship to create mutually beneficial partnership relationships through exchange and investment,” said Macky Sall, adding that his country is open to outside investment.

To aid in bringing these plans to fruition Germany will make €120 million in support. A MoU was also signed with the German company Pfister Kontaktsystem for the installation of a 10 MW hybrid solar power plant to supply companies in the Sandiara industrial zone.

“We will work with Senegalese companies to install the system. For maintenance, we will train local nationals in Germany. We also want to intervene at Sandiara Technical High School,” said Jessyca Tshisuaka, Pfister Africa Manager.

In 2017, Senegal had a rural electrification rate of 40%.