The Ivorian government has approved a loan of 68 billion CFA francs (approximately $112 million USD) to kickstart the first phase of a major cross-border electricity interconnection project with Ghana. The decision was confirmed at a Council of Ministers meeting held on 4 June 2025. This strategic infrastructure project is part of the broader West Africa Regional Electricity Market initiative led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which aims to facilitate a more integrated and reliable power network across the region.
According to government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly, the initiative is designed to strengthen bilateral electricity trade between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, enhance power grid stability, and support the long-term vision of a unified sub-regional electricity market. The project’s first phase will involve constructing a high-voltage transmission line that connects the Dunkwa II substation in Ghana’s Central Region to the Bingerville substation near Abidjan. The new line will feature fibre optic cables and remote monitoring systems to boost efficiency, safety, and real-time data transmission.
Crucially, the infrastructure will also be designed to withstand extreme weather events and climate-related challenges, aligning with the region’s resilience and sustainability goals. The Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana interconnection project is a key component of the West African Power Pool’s (WAPP) long-term master plan and is expected to play a vital role in stabilizing electricity supply, reducing power shortages, and fostering economic growth across ECOWAS member states.
