In the remote village of Karan, nestled in the Malian countryside, a solar power plant has sparked new life, representing a beacon of hope for sustainable energy across the nation. With the burgeoning advancement in renewable energy, hopes are ignited for similar developments throughout other parts of Mali, a region in West Africa experiencing this transformational growth.
Prior to the installation of a solar power mini-grid, the community of 3,000 frequently faced days without electricity. Today, the continuous power supply is elevating small businesses and bolstering commercial activities, like video gaming centers. This renewable energy solution is thanks to a grid comprising numerous panels and storage batteries managed by WeLight, a Malagasy-based rural electrification startup, operational since 2021.
Samba Diakité, a local baker, recalls how the solar power redefined his business model: “Before solar power, my bakery ran on an expensive diesel generator, costing about $100 each day.” Currently, his operational costs are significantly lowered, saving more than half, and generating a daily income of $124.
Despite these advancements, experts assert that for Mali and many West African regions, achieving comprehensive progress remains a daunting task. Large expanses of rural areas still lack electricity, impacting everything from educational opportunities to commercial investments. As of 2021, World Bank statistics revealed that only 53% of Mali’s populace had access to electricity, with rural availability dropping to a stark 25%, notes Abdoulaye Makan Sissoko from Mali’s rural electrification agency.
Studies suggest that to reach universal electricity access, Mali needs an estimated $1.3 billion investment, focusing on extending networks and expanding mini-grids, according to Sissoko. The adoption of solar power has been a recent phenomenon encouraged by the government, which has eliminated customs duties on equipment and pledged to subsidize solar kits, aiming to counteract solar electricity being twice as costly as traditional fossil fuel energy in urban areas.
Residents currently pay a subscription ranging from $30 to $164 for metering and approximately $0.50 per kilowatt. The rural electrification agency reports that 32 solar mini-plants functioning in Mali’s southern and southwestern regions serve over 2 million people, operated by WeLight and the German-owned company Africa GreenTec.
Brice Bado, WeLight’s sales manager, commented on the growth witnessed in Karan, “We began with 48 connections, and now we have surpassed 200. We’ve expanded our generation capacity and distribution network to accommodate the rising demand.”
Recognizing the critical need for energy, Mali’s government posited a revenue-raising strategy through imposing levies on telecom, mobile money, and alcohol sales, aimed at increasing electricity production. In a drive from March, telecom companies introduced a 10% levy on airtime and internet top-ups, and a 1% levy on mobile money withdrawals.
However, the country’s political instability following two coups has hindered efforts to broaden electricity access, straining relations between the military-led government and several international partners. France and the EU, for instance, had to abandon a $39.5 million rural electrification initiative called PHARE, as it was short-circuited during its inception phase. Additionally, a project sponsored by the Islamic Development Bank for electrifying 24 villages, previously contracted to the French firm Sagecom, has been revoked and rebid per military government orders, furthering the complications.
The World Bank, likewise, halted $60 million in backing for Mali’s state-owned energy enterprise, due to a dispute over financing arrangements with the military government. This political volatility, coupled with ongoing extremist-related insecurity, has stymied electrification efforts in Mali’s northern regions, which are deemed insecure for the establishment of solar mini-grids.
Beverly Ochieng from London’s Control Risks points out that not just political chaos, but other factors like insecurity and governance challenges, have delayed electrification objectives in the Sahel region, including Mali. “As energy requirements increase at speeds between 4% to 10% across various countries, these elements complicate the development of sustainable projects,” Ochieng elucidates.
Nonetheless, for Karan, the solar plant signifies a substantial improvement. Selected through data from Mali’s rural electrification agency, the village’s transformation is palpable. Issa Doumbia, a local metalworker, expressed his gratitude, “I used to spend $16 to $23 a day on diesel for generators, but solar has cut my costs to $8.” He continued with hopes for a reduction in electricity prices to support his small-scale enterprise.
As dusk descends, trader Mah Konaré arranges her fresh produce under the radiant streetlights. Her business flourished with the newfound streetlight support, offering a sense of safety as she says, “These lights secure our village. I feel safe now, especially when my father walks to the mosque at night.”