Overview

The CI Off-Grid Rural Solar Mini-Grids program is a flagship state-led initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy of Côte d’Ivoire to address the energy gap in remote rural communities with fewer than 500 inhabitants. By deploying modular solar photovoltaic systems integrated with advanced battery storage and localised distribution networks, the initiative provides a reliable, cost-effective, and rapid alternative to fossil-fuel-based solutions and traditional grid extensions that are often economically unviable for these small localities. The program serves as a scalable blueprint for national electrification, aiming to improve the quality of life for approximately 20,000 direct beneficiaries while aligning with the nation’s broader energy transition and climate commitments.

To ensure long-term viability, the program utilises a de-risked “platform model” that moves beyond simple infrastructure installation by combining institutional support with demand-side activation. This comprehensive approach mutualises technical and operational risks across a wide geographic footprint while stimulating local economies through “productive uses” of electricity, such as agro-industrial processing, cold storage, and the powering of local workshops. Supported by a $10–50 million blended finance structure and strategic partnerships with the UNDP and AfDB, the project is designed to foster climate resilience and create local employment in system installation and maintenance.

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