Burkina Faso turns to Turkish developer for largest-ever $300 million power project in energy independence push

Burkina Faso is taking a major step toward reducing its dependence on imported electricity after securing financing for what will become the country's largest-ever power plant, a project expected to strengthen energy security and support industrial growth in one of West Africa's fastest-changing economies.

• Burkina Faso secured $300 million in financing for its largest-ever power plant to reduce reliance on imported electricity.
• Turkish company Aksa Enerji will build a 119-megawatt thermal plant, set to begin operations in 2027.
• Once operational, the plant will cut Burkina Faso’s electricity imports by over 50%, enhancing energy security.
• Currently, only 20% of Burkina Faso's population has access to electricity, limiting industrial and private-sector growth.

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has reached financial close on a $300 million corporate loan facility to support the construction of a 119-megawatt thermal power plant by Turkish power producer Aksa Enerji Üretim A.Ş.

AFC has already disbursed the first $60 million tranche, marking the institution's first investment in Burkina Faso.

Expected to begin operations in 2027, the facility will become Burkina Faso's largest power plant and is projected to reduce the country's dependence on imported electricity by more than 50%.

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The project addresses one of Burkina Faso's most pressing economic challenges. Nearly 60% of the country's electricity is imported from neighbouring countries, exposing businesses and households to supply disruptions and higher costs.

Meanwhile, only around 20% of the population currently has access to electricity, limiting industrialisation and private-sector growth.

By expanding domestic generation capacity, the new plant is expected to provide reliable baseload power for industries, mines and businesses while creating a more resilient national electricity system.

A broader push for economic resilience

The investment comes as Burkina Faso continues to prioritise strategic infrastructure despite ongoing security challenges and regional geopolitical shifts.

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Since joining the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso has increasingly focused on strengthening domestic economic capacity through investments in energy, mining and critical infrastructure aimed at reducing external dependencies.

A more reliable electricity supply is expected to improve the competitiveness of key sectors, including mining and manufacturing, while encouraging new private investment by addressing one of the country's biggest infrastructure bottlenecks.

The financing also expands AFC's partnership with Aksa Enerji. In 2025, the corporation provided a $150 million corporate loan facility for the Turkish company's gas-to-power projects in Senegal and Ghana, including the development of a 255 MW combined-cycle gas power plant in Senegal.

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AFC President and Chief Executive Officer Samaila Zubairu said Africa's industrial future will depend on investments in reliable infrastructure, noting that dependable electricity is essential for businesses to grow, industries to expand and economies to compete globally.

Aksa Energy Chairman Cemil Kazanci described the Burkina Faso project as a significant milestone in the company's long-term commitment to Africa, saying it would strengthen the country's energy security while supporting sustainable economic development.

For Burkina Faso, the project represents more than an expansion of power generation. It signals a broader effort to build greater economic resilience by investing in infrastructure that can reduce reliance on imports, support industrialisation and lay the foundation for long-term growth.