BAMAKO
A $190 million electricity infrastructure project is set to improve power supply in Mali’s capital, Bamako, after the country’s National Transitional Council approved legislation allowing the government to ratify financing agreements with the African Development Bank Group.
The Bamako North 225 kV Loop Project will modernize the city’s electricity transmission and distribution network, connect 10,000 households and small businesses to the national grid, and improve electricity supply for about 40 industrial facilities.
The financing package includes $68.26 million from the African Development Bank Group and its partners, representing 36.13% of the project’s total cost.
The African Development Fund, the bank group’s concessional lending arm, is providing a $35.27 million loan, while the Transition Support Facility is contributing a $18.99 million loan.
Additional support includes a $5 million loan and a $6.8 million grant from the Climate Investment Funds, along with a $2.2 million grant from the Green Climate Fund.
The remaining financing will come from the West African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Malian government.
Speaking during the National Transitional Council session, Mali’s Minister of Energy and Water, Tiémoko Traoré, said the project would help address persistent electricity shortages affecting Bamako and nearby communities.
“This project will significantly ease the electricity supply challenges faced by people in the District of Bamako and surrounding towns concerned,” Traoré said.
Project Addresses Major Challenges in Mali’s Electricity Subsector
According to project information, the country’s electricity access rate stood at an estimated 55.8% in 2023, with access reaching 86.6% in urban areas compared with 30.4% in rural communities.
Electricity demand is growing by about 10% each year, while generation capacity remains limited and heavily dependent on thermal power.
The sector also faces high transmission losses, reliance on imported fuel and financial pressures that require continued government subsidies.
Cédric Mbeng Mezui, the African Development Bank Group’s country office manager for Mali, said the investment would deliver broader economic benefits beyond improving electricity supply.
“This project will have multiple multiplier effects, particularly by supporting productive activities, employment and economic opportunities for people,” Mezui said.
The project includes the construction of a 225 kV transmission line linking the Kodialani and Dialakorobougou substations.
It also provides for two new substations at Safo and Kénié, as well as the expansion of existing substations at Kodialani, Kambila and Dialakorobougou.
Medium and low voltage distribution lines will also be built to extend electricity services to new neighborhoods across Bamako.
In the longer term, the upgraded network is expected to support electricity transmission from future energy projects, including the Guinea-Mali interconnection, the Manantali 2 transmission line and planned solar power plants at Kambila and Safo.
Construction is expected to begin during the third quarter of 2026. Once completed, the project is expected to improve the reliability of electricity supply for households and businesses while supporting Mali’s transition toward a more resilient and sustainable energy system.
