Senegal continues to strengthen its rural electrification program with the announcement of an ambitious project aimed at connecting 322 villages in the regions of Kaffrine, Kédougou and Tambacounda to the electricity network by 2028. This initiative, supported by the Senegalese state and private partners, marks a key step in improving living conditions in rural areas.
According to Ibrahima Niane, president of the Energy Sector Regulatory Commission (CRSE), this large-scale project will directly impact 17,158 households spread across the three regions concerned. He specified that the project would be executed in partnership with the African Rural Energy Company (ERA), a subsidiary of the French company EDF. ERA has been mandated to electrify 44 villages, while the Senegalese state will take charge of the electrical installations in the other 278 localities.
During a meeting chaired by Lala Camara, the deputy governor of Kaffrine in charge of regional development, it was recalled that a first phase, carried out between 2018 and 2021, had enabled the electrification of 450 villages. This success was made possible thanks to the concerted action of the Senegalese Rural Electrification Agency (ASER), the Program for the Modernization of Border Axes and Territories (PUMA) and the National Electricity Company of Senegal (SENELEC) .
Of the 450 villages electrified during this initial phase, 386 were connected by the State and its public partners, while the remaining 64 benefited from the expertise of the ERA company.
Rural electrification remains a strategic issue for Senegal. It helps to reduce territorial inequalities, improve access to education and health care, and stimulate local economic activities. “This project will strengthen social cohesion and improve the living conditions of rural populations,” declared Lala Camara, emphasizing the importance of this initiative for the development of the regions concerned.
With this project, the objective is clear: to provide each village with reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure by 2028. The involvement of public and private partners guarantees efficient implementation and rigorous monitoring to meet deadlines and deadlines. established standards.
This program demonstrates Senegal's desire to accelerate its development while meeting the expectations of rural populations, often left behind in terms of modern infrastructure. It also embodies an exemplary partnership approach, combining the efforts of the State and private actors for an inclusive and equitable energy future.
