The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved €103.14 million in financing for Côte d’Ivoire to support the second phase of the Project to Strengthen Electrical System Infrastructure and Electricity Access (PROSER II). Approved on 15 May 2026 in Abidjan, the project is designed to expand access to electricity, improve service quality, and strengthen the country’s power distribution network, benefiting communities across 18 regions.

PROSER II has a total investment value of €234.56 million. In addition to the African Development Bank’s contribution, the project will receive €83.96 million in co-financing from the Islamic Development Bank and €47.46 million from the Government of Côte d’Ivoire. The combined funding will support major infrastructure upgrades aimed at accelerating the country’s progress toward universal electricity access.

Under the project, electricity will be extended to 244 rural localities that currently have limited or no access to reliable power. The initiative will also focus on expanding, reinforcing, and rehabilitating electricity distribution networks in Greater Abidjan, several interior regions, and 12 departmental capitals. More than 107,000 households are expected to be connected to the national electricity grid, bringing reliable electricity to thousands of families and businesses.

A key component of the project is the installation of 74,010 modern LED public lighting units. These energy-efficient lighting systems are expected to improve public safety, reduce electricity consumption, lower maintenance requirements, and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The project therefore combines social, economic, and environmental benefits while supporting the country’s broader sustainability goals.

Lamin Barrow, Director General of the African Development Bank Group for West Africa, described the approval of PROSER II as an important step in strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity sector. He noted that the project will improve access to reliable and higher-quality electricity, support local economic growth, and enhance living conditions for communities across the country.The initiative supports Côte d’Ivoire’s objective of achieving universal electricity access by 2030, with particular attention given to rural communities, underserved populations, and rapidly growing urban areas.

It is aligned with the country’s National Development Plan for 2026–2030 and its National Energy Compact for 2025–2030, both of which prioritize infrastructure development and improved access to essential services.PROSER II is also consistent with several strategic priorities of the African Development Bank Group, including the Country Strategy Paper for Côte d’Ivoire (2023–2028), the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033), and its Four Cardinal Points framework.

In particular, the project supports efforts to build climate-resilient infrastructure and promote sustainable economic development.Beyond physical infrastructure investments, the project includes a number of social and institutional development measures. These include initiatives aimed at improving youth employability, promoting the economic empowerment of women in project areas, and strengthening the capacity of institutions responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring electricity sector projects.

These components are intended to ensure that the benefits of improved electricity access contribute to broader socioeconomic development.The approval of PROSER II builds on the success of the project’s first phase, which was approved in March 2020. The African Development Bank contributed €62.35 million toward Phase I, representing 40% of the total project cost of €156.03 million.

That phase exceeded expectations by electrifying 1,509 localities—109% of the original target. It also enabled the construction of 9,838 kilometres of medium- and low-voltage distribution lines and the installation of 1,527 transformer substations, significantly expanding electricity access across the country.

With the launch of its second phase, PROSER is expected to further strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity network, improve service reliability, and support inclusive economic growth while advancing the country’s long-term energy and development objectives.

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