In an interview Niamey et les 2 jours, the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina (picture), revealed some of his institution’s plans for Niger, in regards to the power sector. “Currently, 645 million Africans have no access to electricity. As AfDB’s president, I feel ashamed and it is not acceptable,” he said.

“Taking Niger’s example, less than 1% of the rural population has access to electricity, and only 10% in urban areas. I have discussed this with President Mahamadou Issoufou and we both agreed that no development is possible in darkness,” he added.    

According to AfDB’s Head, the lack of electricity is "terrorism's bed". He thus reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to the Kandadji dam project which will generate 600MW of electricity, as well as to solar projects: “Solar can be development in Niger considering the high rate of sunshine. I commit to insure that the AfDB boosts its efforts to increase access to solar energy. During my stay, I visited the National Solar Power Centre and was very impressed by progress made there”.

Finally, Akinwumi Adesina declared that Niger can produce enough coal to generate 600MW. “If we win this bet, the power issue will be solved,” he said.