By: Ecofin Agency

Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria signed a framework agreement on Tuesday, June 30, in Abidjan to strengthen cooperation in the electricity and renewable energy sectors. Ivorian Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly and Algerian Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal signed the agreement.

The agreement outlines a series of measures designed to address Côte d’Ivoire’s immediate electricity system needs. The partners will deploy mobile generation units to provide an additional 100 megawatts (MW) of capacity. They will also modernize electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure by constructing 225-kilovolt (kV) and 400-kV high-voltage transmission lines and supplying critical equipment for the national grid.

Over the longer term, the two countries will expand their cooperation to develop new generation capacity. They plan to acquire power generation units manufactured in Algeria for a proposed 1,500-MW power plant in Côte d’Ivoire. The partnership also includes training and technology transfer for Ivorian engineers, as well as plans to establish electrical equipment manufacturing facilities and regional energy equipment distribution platforms.

The Ivorian government said the agreement forms part of a broader strategy to secure electricity supplies and strengthen regional industrial integration. According to Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, the partnership "will contribute to providing an immediate and strategic response to the current operational challenges facing our electricity network." For its part, Algeria reaffirmed its commitment to placing its industrial and energy expertise at Côte d’Ivoire’s disposal through a structured partnership based on knowledge sharing and South-South cooperation.

The agreement comes as electricity demand in Côte d’Ivoire increases by about 10% each year, driven by economic and population growth. The country has achieved an electricity access rate of more than 94% and aims to reach universal access while improving service quality.

The government continues to increase investment in electricity generation to meet future demand. In early June, authorities signed financing agreements for the construction of a 372-MW combined-cycle power plant in Songon, located in the Abidjan district. Under its 2040 Generation and Transmission Master Plan, Côte d’Ivoire plans to increase installed generation capacity to 8,604 MW by 2040 from a projected 5,127 MW in 2030. The government also intends to maintain renewable energy at 45% of the national energy mix.

In addition, authorities are evaluating new technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), to strengthen the country's long-term energy security. Beyond the energy sector, the agreement offers Algeria new industrial and commercial opportunities in West Africa while strengthening its economic and diplomatic presence across the region.