The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), in collaboration with the governments of Mauritania and Mali, has jointly committed to raising $900 million to fund an international power transmission line linking Mauritania and Mali.
This initiative aims to expand the distribution networks between the two nations, covering an impressive distance of approximately 1,500 km with high-voltage wires. The primary goal is to provide electricity access to around 620,000 individuals while also fostering sustainable economic growth in the region.
It additionally incorporates the construction of several solar power stations and is set to increase solar capacity by 100 MW. According to the AfDB, the project falls in line with the institution’s ambitious Desert-to-Power program, which aims to construct the world’s largest solar power-producing region.
Malinne Blomberg, the Deputy Director for North Africa and Country Manager for Mauritania at AfDB, expressed that their engagement in this extensive undertaking is aimed at actualizing their commitment to bolstering the advancement of eco-friendly infrastructure across Africa. The primary goal is to foster green, inclusive, and sustainable growth, thereby substantially enhancing the living standards of people throughout the continent.
The Mauritania-Mali power line project is a vital element of the proposed trans-Sahel spine, a regional electrical distribution system linking Mauritania to Chad via Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. Currently in the feasibility stage, this infrastructure undertaking is part of a broader initiative to establish a robust and interconnected energy network in the region’s landlocked nations, fostering regional growth and integration.
Abdessalam Ould Mohamed Saleh, Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, highlighted the project’s strategic significance, underscoring its potential to not only boost the economy but also connect Mauritania to the grid of the Senegal River Basin Development Organization.
