(AXIAN) - The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) and the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank (FMO) acting as Co-Mandated Lead Arrangers, alongside Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG), have announced today a EUR 84 million investment in two photovoltaic solar plants with battery storage systems operated by AXIAN Energy in the southern Senegalese region of Kolda. The commitment will provide clean energy to local communities and businesses, driving forward access to electricity and economic growth in the underserved Casamance region of the country. The overall investment volume is over EUR 105 million, of which, EUR 84 million of Debt, with EUR 30.5 million provided by each of EAAIF and FMO, and EUR 23 million by DEG.

Scheduled for completion in 2026, the Kolda solar farm project stands out as the largest photovoltaic plant with BESS project in West Africa. This ambitious project will set a benchmark for the region by combining large-scale solar energy production with cutting-edge battery storage technology. The photovoltaic systems will have an annual capacity of 60 MW and will provide green electricity to an estimated 235,000 people.     

The 72 MWh battery storage will help to safeguard the supply of power for up to three hours during evening peak times and increase the stability of the power grid. The critical technology supports the integration of more renewable energy capacity into the power supply, helping Senegal to achieve its ambition of reaching 40% renewable energy capacity by 2030.

On the occasion of the signature of the financing agreements, AXIAN Energy CEO Benjamin Memmi said: “The Kolda solar farm project reflects our dedication to contribute to energy inclusion in Senegal and across the continent, in line with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through a fully renewable energy project, we will be able to provide clean solar energy to approximately 25,000 households in the Casamance region. Additionally, by integrating innovative battery storage technology, we are setting a new standard for sustainable energy projects in the region, enhancing grid stability and optimizing the use of renewable resources. We are deeply grateful to our financial partners EAAIF,  FMO and DEG for their trust and support in making this initiative possible and to the Senegalese Authorities and Senelec for their vision and for supporting renewables in the energy sector.”

Tidiane Doucoure, Director, Emerging Market Alternative Credit at Ninety One Group, the Fund Manager of The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), a Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company, said: “We are delighted to back Axian Energy and drive forward the uptake of renewable energy generation and critical battery storage solutions in Senegal and the wider region. Investment in BESS technology will be crucial for assuring the continent’s transition to low carbon economies by supporting additional renewable energy capacity on the grid. This transaction is an important step towards that objective, and we are proud to lead the investment drive, reinforcing our mandate to invest in transformative infrastructure projects in Africa and Asia.”

FMO Management Board member Huib-Jan De Ruijter said: “Through the signing of this landmark project, FMO is delighted to mark its continued commitment to Senegal’s vision for a sustainable energy sector. Reaching this signing milestone is a proud moment for FMO as it celebrates the next solar PV and battery storage project signed in Senegal, further enabling the integration of renewable energy in Senegal’s energy mix. We are also pleased to support Axian Energy, a fast-growing Africa-based renewable energy project developer and look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration in Senegal and elsewhere on the continent. On completion, the Kolda project will provide essential grid stabilization and ancillary services to Senegal’s utility company, Senelec, in addition to increasing the supply of much-needed clean and affordable electricity to the people and businesses of Senegal, including in the southern region of Casamance”. 

DEG Management Board member Monika Beck said: “This financing allows us to play an important role in helping to electrify rural areas in Senegal. The project is a prime example of the transformation from generating energy from fossil fuels towards cleaner, more sustainable and more reliable energy. A stable power grid is decisive for the region’s development, creating jobs and paving the way for investments.”

ABOUT AXIAN ENERGY

As the Energy division of the AXIAN Group, AXIAN Energy is a Pan-African developer of large-scale renewable energy projects. AXIAN Energy is driven by a dual mission: to promote innovation in renewable energy and to contribute to energy inclusion across the African continent. The division operates in seven countries across Africa through its subsidiaries: NEA, WeLight, JOVENA and EYDON.

AXIAN Energy has a renewable energy portfolio of 133 MW installed capacity, a pipeline of 800 MW and aims to achieve 1 GW of installed capacity by 2030. As an African player with extensive experience and a talented team of 750 employees, AXIAN Energy is a leading partner for driving the development of structured renewable energy projects across the continent. www.axian-energy.com

ABOUT EAAIF

The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) is a blended finance vehicle that raises and deploys public and private debt capital to transformative infrastructure projects across Africa, the Levant and South and Southeast Asia. EAAIF provides various debt products on commercial terms to infrastructure projects primarily owned, actively managed, and operated by the best in private sector expertise. The Fund helps create the infrastructure framework that is essential to stimulate economic stability, business confidence, job creation and poverty reduction. It has to date supported 96 closed infrastructure projects across 10 sectors in well over 20 African countries. EAAIF’s committed loan portfolio is $1.35bn invested in 20 countries and across 10 sectors.  EAAIF is part of PIDG. EAAIF was established and substantially funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden. In addition, it raises its debt capital from public and private financiers. EAAIF is managed by Ninety One. www.eaif.com

ABOUT FMO

FMO is the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank. As a leading impact investor, FMO supports sustainable private sector growth in developing countries and emerging markets by investing in ambitious projects and entrepreneurs. FMO believes that a strong private sector leads to economic and social development and has a 50+ year proven track record in empowering entrepreneurs to make local economies more inclusive, productive, resilient and sustainable. FMO focuses on three key sectors that have high development impact: Agribusiness, Food & Water, Energy, and Financial Institutions. With a total committed portfolio of EUR ~13 billion spanning over 85 countries, FMO is one of the largest bilateral private sector development banks globally. For more information, please visit : www.fmo.nl

ABOUT DEG

As one of the largest development finance providers in Europe, DEG has been focusing even more on high-impact and environmentally friendly investments since 2022. Its renewable energies portfolio is currently in the region of EUR 1 billion. In 2023, the energy providers co-financed by DEG produced approximately 32 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity from renewable energy, meeting the needs of over 32 million people and preventing 22 million tonnes of carbon emissions. www.deginvest.de