The World Bank Group announced Monday that its board of directors has approved more than $200 million for off-grid solar systems projects in West Africa and the Sahel, which are designed around independent solar energy systems.

The Board of Directors of the World Bank Group approved the Regional Offline Electrification Project (ROGEP), which includes $150 million in credit and grants from the International Development Association (IDA) and an additional $74.7 million in reconstruction grants from the Clean Technology Fund to help the West African Development Bank and ECOWAS renewable energy and energy efficiency centres expand 19 countries in West Africa and the Sahel region Population power grid.

The specific goal of ROGEP is to use modern independent solar energy systems to increase electricity supply for households, businesses and public institutions in West Africa and the Sahel.

ROGEP is expected to benefit 1.7 million people who currently have no power connection or reliable power supply, and to use solar energy systems to improve their living standards and economic activities.

The funds are intended to compensate for inadequate investment in off-line renewable technologies in West Africa and the Sahel, which will benefit from these technologies."So far, only 3% of households in West Africa and the Sahel have independent solar energy systems, while 208 million people in the region do not have access to electricity," said Rachid Benmessaoud, Director of the Regional Coordination Bureau. "The project aims to help regional policymakers overcome the barriers to creating a regional market for independent solar energy systems, which is crucial to reducing energy poverty in the region. "Source: Cable network