The International Development Association (IDA) has approved $150 million from the World Bank to improve access to electricity in Senegal for households, businesses, and vital public facilities.
The Energy Access Scale Up Project (PADAES) will directly benefit over 1 million and a half people by linking 200,000 houses to the grid, including 40,000 vulnerable households who will be provided with standardized connection kits adapted to their needs. In addition, new or improved power services will assist around 700 Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises, 200 schools, and 600 health facilities.
Sophie Gladima, Senegalese Minister of Petroleum and Energy said, “ The Senegal Energy Access Scale Up Project is an important contribution to the ongoing governmental strategy for universal access by 2025 to electricity at an affordable cost for all Senegalese households, both in rural and urban areas.”
Senegal has one of the highest electrification rates on the continent (78.6%), yet this high rate masks significant discrepancies – across urban and rural areas, geography, and income categories. The PADAES will help to reduce the disparities in power distribution and access. In Senegal, the latest Demographic and Health Surveys Program (DHS) reveals a strong link between poverty and lack of access to electricity.
Nathan Belete, World Bank Country Director for Senegal said, “One year ago, around this time, the Word Bank made a pledge to the Government of Senegal to be on his side in a universal access roundtable, by committing to scale up its funding and being the leading agency in support to the Government shared vision. With the Board approval of this project, our institution shows its deep commitment to the energy sector and the Senegalese people.”
