Niger: African Development Bank extends loan of over $144 million to enhance energy access and economic competitiveness
Niger's Energy Sector Governance and Competitiveness Support Program is expected to address governance challenges by strengthening public financial management systems, particularly tax revenue mobilization and tax revenue control system. It will also support the clearance of domestic arrears, public-private dialogue, and the adoption of an industrial and commercial policy to bolster support for Nigerien businesses.
"This program represents our commitment to supporting Niger's economic recovery and energy independence," said African Development Bank Director General for West Africa Lamin Barrow. "By improving access to energy and strengthening governance frameworks, we are helping to lay the foundations for sustainable growth that will benefit all Nigeriens, particularly the most vulnerable populations."
The Bank's support will underpin ambitious energy objectives, including increasing national electricity access from 22.5% to 30% by 2026 while boosting manufacturing's contribution to GDP from 2.5% to 3.8%. A key component focuses on the renewable energy capacity development framework and includes plans to generate 240 MW of solar energy by 2030, with 50 MW coming onstream before December 2026.
The program particularly emphasizes social inclusion, with specific measures to support internally displaced persons, women, and youth. With more than 507,000 internally displaced persons nationwide due to security challenges in the Sahel region, targeted interventions will ensure that vulnerable populations benefit from improved economic opportunities.
The Nigerien economy has shown remarkable resilience despite challenges, with GDP growth climbing to 8.8% in 2024, and oil production expected to increase from 20,000 to 90,000 barrels per day by 2026. Still, only 22.5% of the population enjoy access to electricity, one of the lowest rates in West Africa. In rural areas, where 80% of Nigeriens live, only 4.5% have access to electricity, forcing families to rely on biomass for 94% for their energy needs.
Niger's strategic energy compact, formally adopted by decree, provides the framework to attract $527 million in private sector investment by 2030. The project will establish high-level coordination mechanisms and update national energy policies to create an enabling environment for private participation in mini-grid developments crucial for rural electrification.
The program positions Niger to capitalize on its vast renewable energy potential while building governance systems that support inclusive and sustainable development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Media Contact:
Natalie Nkembuh
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE Central Bank maintain benchmark interest rate
The UAE Central Bank on Wednesday announced that it maintained its benchmark rate. In a statement, the Central Bank said it was maintaining its Overnight Deposit Facility at 4.4 per cent. The decision was taken after the US Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark rate at 4.25-4.5 per cent. The UAE follows US monetary policy as the dirham is pegged to the US dollar.
The National
12 hours ago
- The National
Gaza's 60,000 dead cannot be explained away
Possibly the most disturbing aspect of Monday's confirmation that more than 60,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza since October 2023 is what this macabre milestone does not tell us. Firstly, this death toll is almost certainly an underestimate. As far back as a year ago, British medical journal The Lancet was reporting that it was 'not implausible' for the number of fatalities to have reached 186,000 or more, once direct and indirect causes of death were considered. What that estimate could be 12 months on does not bear thinking about. The grim figure of 60,000 does not include those who have lost limb s, had their entire family killed or who will struggle for years to recover from psychological trauma and the effects of the manufactured starvation that is currently sweeping through Gaza's ruins, particularly affecting children, the elderly and the infirm. Nor does that figure take account of the intentional destruction of Palestinian institutions by the Israeli government's policy of collective punishment. Hospitals, schools and universities have all been reduced to fragments as Palestinian civilians are displaced time and again or hounded into tent cities and deadly queues for aid that resemble a shooting gallery more than a humanitarian operation. At the same time, Israel's decades-long military occupation of the West Bank, coupled with violence from radical settlers, continues to constrain and undermine Palestinian communities. It is a dispiriting picture but it is also clear that public opinion internationally is shifting to the point where Israel's response to the brutal Hamas-led attacks of October 7 is now widely viewed as wanton, illegal and unjust. Images of skeletal Palestinian children cannot be explained away by deflections about threats or anti-Israel bias. As Israel's leadership continues to shred what is left of the country's reputation and alienate many allies – even US President Donald Trump recently spoke out about the mass starvation in Gaza – other voices are offering a way out of this morass. This week's Saudi Arabia and France-led summit on the two-state solution not only reinforced the reality that there is no alternative to a just political settlement, but it also called for Hamas to lay down its arms and join a new Palestinian leadership. As Khalifa Al Marar, UAE Minister of State, told the UN in New York on Tuesday, every day that passes without a solution 'deepens the wounds and distances the chances of peace'. This grim figure does not include those who have lost limbs, had their entire family killed or who will struggle for years to recover from psychological trauma and the effects of manufactured starvation Meanwhile, more countries are moving closer to recognising Palestinian statehood. It now seems likely that the UK will do so later this year, given the remote possibility of Israel ending its war. With the UN General Assembly coming up soon, there is an opportunity to exert further political pressure on an Israeli government whose strategy – if it can be called that – is not only failing to recover its remaining hostages but leading its own people into a cul-de-sac of perpetual conflict and isolation. It may be true that diplomatic meetings and speeches can seem far removed from the realities of daily life in Gaza. Nevertheless, global diplomatic co-ordination remains the best hope of ending the possibility of reaching more ghastly milestones such as that seen on Monday and to eventually forging a path towards peace.
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
The AI revolution won't wait – and neither should we
The AI revolution is advancing at light speed around the world, impacting every industry, driving economic growth, and reshaping how we live and work. In Africa, the pace of technological adoption and innovation is inspiring—as AI-powered tools are being applied to agriculture, healthcare, finance, and much more. It's certainly no surprise, as Africa has many of the key ingredients to be a global player in data and AI: a young, tech-savvy population rich in entrepreneurial talent; established and expanding digital ecosystems (just look at mobile money, pioneered in Africa and now a global phenomenon); and ample land for building infrastructure like data centres. All this AI-related potential, however, relies on data processing —and data processing relies on energy. And, on a continent that continues to struggle with delivering reliable and affordable power, the urgency of this critical issue cannot be overstated. For example, Kenya's industrial sector alone accounts for over 50 percent of total electricity consumption, highlighting how crucial reliable power is for manufacturing and large-scale economic growth. Both the United Nations and the African Development Bank Group highlight that access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy are the lynchpin to ushering in an age of industrialisation, economic growth, and prosperity across the continent. AI is clearly not a short-term craze; it's a game-changer for the long-term that demands immense processing power. That's why hyperscale data centres are being built at a rapid pace in North America, Europe, and Asia. Used to train large AI models and operate cloud services, these facilities don't just use power, they devour it. Operating 24/7, data centres require stable, high-capacity baseload energy to keep servers running, data flowing, and cooling systems functioning. Globally, the International Energy Agency reported that data transmission networks consumed 260-360 TWh in 2022, or to put another way, that is 1-1.5 percent of global electricity use. While renewables like solar and wind are critical for long-term sustainability, their intermittent nature means they can't shoulder the load alone, especially in regions with limited storage or grid flexibility. If Africa is to compete globally in AI and cloud computing, energy strategies must put reliability and scale at the centre of infrastructure planning. The solution lies in pragmatism and scalability. Africa needs a diversified energy strategy that combines natural gas with renewables. Gas-fired power offers a reliable, on-demand energy source capable of delivering the baseload power data centres require. It emits 50 percent less CO2 than coal and is more scalable than renewable solutions today. At the same time, renewables must remain central to the continent's energy future. Solar and wind can be deployed 'behind the meter'—directly on or near data centre sites—to supplement gas and reduce emissions. This hybrid approach allows for energy resilience while accelerating the transition to a cleaner energy mix. Innovative models are already emerging on the continent. Project Spark, for example, is combining a liquid natural gas (LNG) multiuser port in Walvis Bay, Namibia, with vast land resources to develop LNG infrastructure and power plant that can deliver dependable power throughout the region. With an eye toward scalability and speed, it shows how targeted energy development can catalyse digital transformation across the continent. This kind of forward-looking investment is what Africa needs more of—not just more power, but the right kind of power in the right places. Data centres don't just need megawatts; they need planning, precision, and policy alignment to succeed. And that success depends on a balanced energy strategy, one that prioritises reliability and scalability alongside sustainability. By 2026, half of the world's hyperscale data centres will be in North America, while Africa still accounts for less than 1 percent. Africa must confront these issues head-on, by building energy and data infrastructure, or risk missing the window to lead. The opportunity is there but it demands urgency and coordinated action. For the energy needed to power the future—not just homes and hospitals but also the AI tools that will shape the next century—governments, investors, and the private sector must align around infrastructure that supports long-term digital competitiveness. Building world-class data centres is not only about technology, it's about creating jobs, stimulating industrial growth, and reducing electricity costs through large-scale, dependable infrastructure that serves both economic and human needs. Just as Africa revolutionised global banking through mobile money, the continent is now on the cusp of leading the next wave of digital transformation. But that future depends on energy systems that are built to scale, built to last, and built with balance in mind. What it needs now is the will and effective collaboration between the governments and the private sector to build the energy infrastructure necessary to match its ambitions, including power plants with renewables, updated transmission lines, more undersea cables to increase our connectivity to the world, and efficient storage systems. By embracing a hybrid energy approach and making strategic decisions to fund investments like Project Spark, Africa can create an energy foundation that not only powers data centers, but powers opportunity—for innovation, jobs, and inclusive economic growth. The AI revolution won't wait. And neither should we. Herta von Stiegel is the Founder & CEO of Ariya Capital Group, Chairperson of Britam Asset Managers (Kenya) and Daniel R. Weber is a Communications Consultant for Ariya Capital Group. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
