The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and France's development finance company Proparco will each provide about €14mn for four solar plants totaling 62 megawatts-peak in Natitingou, Djougou, Parakou and Bohicon, developed by AXIAN Energy Green and Sika Capital, Proparco said on November 2. Bénin Web TV put the financing signed on October 29 at €30mn, for a €45mn program due to start commercial operation in the first quarter of 2028.
Analysis: The four plants would represent roughly 10% of Benin's installed generating capacity, according to Proparco. Their projected 110 gigawatt-hours of annual output equates to an average of about 12.6 MW, or 3.3% of the 380 MW demand estimate cited by the government in February, by our calculation. The projects would therefore complement, rather than immediately displace, a system still dominated by thermal generation. Long-term electricity purchase tariffs and contract terms have not been disclosed. Commercial operations are not expected before early 2028.
Source: Bénin Web TV, Bénin Web TV, « Bénin : 30 millions d’euros de financement pour quatre centrales solaires », October 29, 2026, Signed October 29, 2026 and Project (2026–2028) and Planned, commercial operation Q1 2028 and Planned, from 2028 and 2022 and From Q1 2028; World Bank / Government of Benin, Benin National Energy Compact (Mission 300), 2024; Bénin Web TV, Bénin Web TV, February 12, 2026 (presidential adviser Janvier Yahouedehou), February 2026; Proparco (Agence française de développement group), Proparco, « Bénin : Proparco et IFC soutiennent Axian et Sika pour financer 62 MWc de nouvelles capacités solaires », November 2, 2026, Announced November 2, 2026 and November 2026