Infinity Power has taken a significant step in Africa’s renewable energy landscape, signing concession agreements with the Ivorian government for two solar PV projects under the World Bank’s Scaling Solar initiative. The Touba and Laboa plants, totalling 80MW, will not only add much-needed capacity to Côte d’Ivoire’s grid but also bring electricity to over 400,000 people, including 17km of new transmission infrastructure.
This marks Infinity Power’s first foray into collaboration with the Ivorian government and national utility CI Energies, following a competitive tender process overseen by the Directorate General for Energy and supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The developer’s bid was selected as the most competitive, promising to avoid more than 60,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Mohamed Ismail Mansour, co-founder and chairman of Infinity Power, expressed optimism about the projects’ impact. “These solar plants will not just bring affordable electricity to hundreds of thousands of people but will also empower communities, strengthen infrastructure, and accelerate the country’s progress toward a decarbonised future,” he said. CEO Nayer Fouad echoed this sentiment, stating, “These projects represent a new chapter for Côte d’Ivoire’s energy sector and we are committed to ensuring their success.”
The plants are part of Infinity Power’s ambitious goal to develop 10GW of renewables by 2030. For Côte d’Ivoire, the projects align with the government’s efforts to boost production capacity, enhance resilience, and create new jobs. H.E. Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, minister of mines, petroleum and energy of Côte d’Ivoire, highlighted these benefits, stating that the projects will contribute to the country’s energy transition and economic development.
Marie Chantal Uwanyiligira of the World Bank emphasised the projects’ role in lowering generation costs and supporting universal access to electricity. Meanwhile, Olivier Buyoya, IFC regional director for West Africa, noted that access to clean energy will foster rural productivity and incomes, develop human capital, and create sustainable, private sector jobs.
This development could set a precedent for similar projects across the continent, demonstrating the viability of large-scale solar projects in partnership with governments and international financial institutions. It also underscores the growing role of private developers in driving Africa’s energy transition. As Côte d’Ivoire moves towards its decarbonised future, the success of these projects could inspire other nations to follow suit, accelerating the continent’s shift towards renewable energy.