AfDB Approves $58M Grant for Solar Expansion in Eritrea's Gash Barka Region
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $58.04 million to enhance electricity access in Eritrea's Gash Barka region, with a national electrification rate of 54% and rural access at 15%. The funding consists of a $37.31 million grant from the African Development Fund and a $20.73 million contribution from the Transition Support Facility.
It will support a 34 MW solar mini-grid project for Tesseney, Kerkebet, and Berantu, benefiting around 306,000 people. This initiative is part of the AfDB's Desert to Power initiative, which aims to generate 10 GW of solar power by 2030. The financing highlights the reliance on concessional finance in Eritrea's energy sector, addressing the country's significant energy deficits.
