Mali has formally ratified loan agreements with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to support a major electricity infrastructure project aimed at strengthening power supply in the capital city, Bamako, and surrounding areas.
The approval, made by Mali’s National Transitional Council (CNT), enables the implementation of the Bamako North 225 kV Loop Project, a large-scale energy initiative with an estimated total cost of $190 million. The project is designed to improve the reliability, stability, and capacity of the city’s electricity transmission and distribution network.
Once completed, the project is expected to connect around 10,000 new households and small businesses to the national grid while also improving electricity quality for approximately 40 industrial facilities. It is also intended to reduce power disruptions and support growing energy demand in urban and peri-urban areas.
The African Development Bank Group is contributing financing through multiple instruments, including a $35.27 million loan from the African Development Fund and an additional $18.99 million from the Transition Support Facility. Additional support includes funding from the Climate Investment Funds and the Green Climate Fund, along with co-financing from regional and international development partners such as the West African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.
Mali’s energy sector continues to face major challenges, including rising electricity demand, limited generation capacity, high transmission losses, and heavy reliance on thermal power and fuel imports. National electricity access stands at around 55.8%, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas.
The project includes the construction of a 225 kV transmission line between key substations, the development of new substations in Safo and Kénié, and the expansion of existing infrastructure in Bamako. It also involves upgrades to medium- and low-voltage networks to improve distribution and extend service to new neighborhoods.
In the long term, the upgraded grid will support future renewable and regional power interconnections, including solar energy projects and cross-border electricity links. Authorities expect the investment to strengthen energy security, support economic activity, and create new opportunities for businesses, agriculture, and employment, particularly for youth and women.
The project is scheduled to begin implementation in the third quarter of 2026 and is expected to significantly improve the reliability and resilience of Mali’s electricity system once completed.
