• Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire launched the Green Energy Park Maroc–Côte d’Ivoire (GEP-MCI) in Yamoussoukro.

• The platform focuses on applied research, testing and training in solar photovoltaic and thermal technologies.

• African solar panel imports reached 15,032 MW in the 12 months to June 2025, up 60% year-on-year, according to Ember.

The Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Green Energy Park Morocco and the Institut National Polytechnique Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB) inaugurated the Green Energy Park Maroc–Côte d’Ivoire (GEP-MCI) on February 13, in Yamoussoukro.

The partners installed the platform within INP-HB and dedicated it to applied research, technological innovation and training in solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, including applications in agriculture and water treatment.

The platform functions as a testing and demonstration infrastructure under semi-tropical climatic conditions. The initiative replicates the Green Energy Park model inaugurated in 2017 in Benguerir, Morocco, which IRESEN developed in partnership with OCP Group and UM6P.

“The Green Energy Park Maroc–Côte d’Ivoire reflects a clear ambition: to place applied research and innovation at the service of sustainable development and the success of major energy projects in Africa,” said Samir Rachidi, Director General of IRESEN.

The inauguration comes as solar deployment accelerates across Africa and increases demand for solar panels. In a note published in August 2025, think tank Ember stated that African solar panel imports reached 15,032 MW in the 12 months to June 2025, representing a 60% increase compared with 9,379 MW imported during the previous period.

Ember also noted that local manufacturing capacity remains limited. Morocco and South Africa each hold annual production capacity of around 1 gigawatt, while countries such as Nigeria and Egypt are making progress in expanding capacity.

In this context, regional research and development initiatives support the creation of a structured technological ecosystem and foster the development of a clean technology industry capable of advancing Africa’s energy transition objectives.

This article was initially published in French by Abdoullah Diop

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum