The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Burkina Faso have signed a CFAF 19.63-billion (UA 25.15 million) grant agreement to finance basic energy infrastructure projects in the country, including improving the provision of electricity. The grant was approved by the African Development Fund (ADF) Board on 7 July 2010.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday 14 September 2010 in Tunis by Burkina Faso's Ambassador to Tunisia, Pauline Hien Winkoun and the Bank's Energy, Environment and Climate Change Director, Hela Cheikhrouhou.

The project falls within the framework of Burkina Faso's socio-economic development policy which focuses on improving people's living conditions by providing better basic infrastructure, including electricity.

Referring to this concern in a speech after the signing ceremony, Mrs. Cheikhrouhou said the project would undoubtedly enable the government to attain its objective of raising electricity access from 18% in 2007 to 60% upon completion of the project in 2014.

The project will also involve the rehabilitation and extension of 1,800 km of medium and high tension lines, the realization of 20,000 connections and electrification of 750 public buildings in 150 communes and localities, all of which translate to providing electricity access to some 800,000 people.

"It also includes two important studies which will enable us to better design our future interventions in the sector," Mrs. Cheikhrouhou explained.

She emphasized the need to set up compensation mechanisms for people affected by the project which is the government's responsibility.