(Ecofin Agency) - Backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has approved the release of a $975,000 (FCFA543.43 million) subsidy for the CIZO scheme, which aims to distribute PayGo solar kits to the people of Togo.

The first stage of the off-grid electrification programme aims to improve living conditions of rural populations in the country. Under it, 300,000 solar kits should be distributed over five years in the country’s remote areas. Payment for the equipment will be made via mobile.

It should be noted that the programme also aims to lay the foundations for more significant investments in the power sector, to benefit rural areas. “We are happy to back the rural electrification programme of the government of Togo, CIZO, which aims to provide an appropriate answer to the power issue facing small and remote rural populations. SEFA’s funding will help boost capacities and establish service infrastructure needed to provide solar kits on a large scale,” said Ousseynou Nakoulima, head of renewable energy and power efficiency at AfDB.

Moreover, the Togolese government says CIZO lies on two main pillars: developing a national e-platform to monitor instant payment and collecting data on populations’ electricity needs.

Olivier de Souza