NIAMEY, March 30, 2023 – Today, World Bank Group President David Malpass met Ibrahim Yacoubou, Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies of Niger.
President Malpass and Minister Yacoubou discussed Niger’s need to vastly increase energy supply and electricity access for its rapidly growing population. President Malpass also encouraged an early choice of direction to replace wood for cooking.
President Malpass emphasized the World Bank Group’s financing to support transformative projects in energy generation, including hydro and solar, as well as transmission lines. President Malpass encouraged faster progress in project implementation, noting rapidly increasing demand. President Malpass and Minister Yacoubou also spoke about the need for larger involvement of private companies in the energy sector. President Malpass encouraged transparency in bidding processes and competitive approaches to energy generation based on the framework of the Least-Cost-Plan in Electricity Generation, which is being developed in partnership with the World Bank.
President Malpass and Minister Yacoubou also visited the Gorou Banda Energy Hub, which hosts strategic energy projects, including over $1.2bn projects financed by International Development Association (IDA).
