Burkina Faso: $60 million in funding to strengthen the country’s energy sovereignty
Burkina Faso is reaching a significant milestone in its strategy to reduce energy dependence. The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) announced on Wednesday, July 8, the disbursement of an initial $60 million tranche to Aksa Enerji Üretim A.Ş., as part of a corporate credit facility totaling $300 million.
This financing aims to support the construction of a 119 MW thermal power plant, set to become the country’s largest electricity generation facility.
According to the AFC, the infrastructure is expected to enter service in 2027 and will reduce the dependence of Burkina Faso on electricity imports by over 50% a strategic imperative for a nation facing growing energy demand.
The project, led by Turkish company Aksa Energy, was initially announced on November 25, 2025, following the signing of a 20-year guaranteed power purchase agreement with Burkina’s national electricity company, Sonabel.
The plant, which will be located in Ouagadougou and run on fuel oil, was originally slated for commissioning in the last quarter of 2026; that timeline has now been revised to 2027, according to the schedule communicated by the AFC.
For Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of the AFC, this type of investment addresses a structural imperative: without reliable electricity, no country can truly industrialize, nor can its businesses and communities fully develop their economic potential.
This project is part of a broader dynamic of diversifying funding sources and strategic partnerships that Burkina Faso is pursuing in its quest for energy autonomy.
As the country continues its sovereignist march within the Alliance of Sahel States, strengthening its electricity generation capacity stands as an essential pillar to support its industrial and economic development, while reducing its vulnerability to the vagaries of regional energy markets.
Ultimately, this power plant should help secure the country’s electricity supply and accompany the economic recovery championed by the Transition authorities.
Olivier TOE
