The government of Niger has officially launched the first phase of the Niger Electricity Acceleration Project. Named "Haské", this project supported by the World Bank Group aims to accelerate access to electricity and clean cooking in Niger.
This is it. The Niger Electricity Acceleration Project is now on track. Its first phase was recently launched at a ceremony in Niamey, in the presence of officials from the World Bank Group. Called the “Haské” programme, which means “light” in Hausa, this project aims to increase the rate of access to electricity in Niger to 30% by 2026 and 80% by 2035.
With a subsoil particularly rich in uranium, Niger is paradoxically among the least electrified countries on the African continent, with an electricity access rate of only 13% according to Power Africa. While 75% of households in cities have access to electricity, this rate drops to 5% in rural areas. Niamey is therefore banking on the “Haské” programme to get Niger out of this slump. The overall aim of the project is to extend the national electricity network in the cities, deploy solar mini-grids in rural areas and distribute clean cooking kits.
The deployment of green mini-grids
In addition to the extension of the electricity network in the cities, the government of Niger wants to support the productive use of electricity, by promoting access to electricity for businesses. The deployment of green mini-grids in rural areas is perhaps the most important component of the programme, as only 5% of rural households and small businesses have access to electricity according to Power Africa.
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The government of Niger plans to build new mini-grids and add solar systems to existing mini-thermal power plants in rural areas. The project will provide electricity to households, public utilities and promote the productive use of electricity. The other major component of the “Haské” programme is the deployment of clean cooking kits in households.
World Bank funding
The programme will be implemented by Niger Electricity Company (NIGELEC), the National Agency for Rural Electrification (ANPER), the National Solar Energy Agency (ANERSOL) and the Direction de la promotion des énergies de cuisson (Directorate for the promotion of cooking energy) of the Nigerien Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies. The programme is supported by the World Bank.
“In five years, about 2.5 million people will have access to electricity, nearly 4,000 socio-economic infrastructures will be electrified and nearly 3 million will benefit from clean cooking methods,” promises Han Fraeters, the World Bank’s resident representative in Niger. The programme will require an investment of more than $317 million. The World Bank will contribute with a $155 million loan, as well as a $7.5 million grant through the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) multi-donor trust fund.
Jean Marie Takouleu
