(Ecofin Agency) - The Togolese government said it wants to provide power to more than two million people in the country with its CI-ZO initiative. Under the project, authorities with distribute in rural areas individual solar kits which will be progressively reimbursed via mobile payments.

To achieve its objective, the government will “take advantage of the growth of mobile telephony and innovative business models to provide more power to rural populations”, according to a statement released during a ministers’ council held on June 23.

Cost for the CI-ZO project is estimated at about FCFA69 billion (about $117 millions) and is expected to benefit 300,000 homes in the long term. While government is to provide around FCFA8.7 billion (about $15 million) of the funding, the remaining FCFA60 billion (about $102.5 million) will be secured from private investors.

Pilot stage for the project will commence this year and will see 20,000 individual kits distributed. Sales of the equipment will be carried out by private actors. The government for its part, will put in place all the conditions for its successful implementation.

Gwladys Johnson