The government of Chad (GoC) through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MoPE) approached IFC to assist in the design and implementation of this mini-grid program as part of its Scaling Mini-Grid initiative (SMG) powered by the World Bank Group (WBG); which offers governments a comprehensive package for mini-grid deployment; including project preparation; transaction documents; and risk mitigation instruments.IFC's advisory role involves helping the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MoPE) to design; finance; build; operate; and maintain mini-grids; focusing on electrifying secondary cities; towns; and areas near refugee camps. This PPP project will leverage the IFC SMG initiative for regional deployment; with the IFC identifying and selecting private operators for the PPP scheme based on potential sites identified after pre-assessment. As a preliminary step; IFC conducted a preliminary geospatial mapping to identify potential mini-grid sites as the least-cost electrification solutions across Chad. Three main areas with 278 sites were identified. The preselected sites will need to go through further detailed feasibility studies to refine demand predictions and estimate generation capacity and costs; moving towards the implementation of the PPP project to improve electricity access across Chad. The project is aligned with GoC aiming to develop a structured mini-grid Public Private Partnership (PPP) program and the National Electricity Emergency Plan (NEEP) in July 2020; aiming to significantly increase electricity access from an extremely low rate of 11% to 38% by 2023; and to 53% by 2030.IFC will support the GoC as lead transaction advisor in a two-phase approach composed of (i) the due diligence and structuring phase; and (ii) the tender phase. To advise the GoC; IFC is considering hiring a law firm as a legal consultant (the Consultant).Please note that mobilization is expected by May 2024.