International Development Grant

Sustainable Energy and Economic Growth in the Boucle du Mouhoun Region

Project Number: CA-3-D003316001

Status: Closed

Country/Region:

Burkina Faso 100.00%

Maximum Contribution: $16,875,245.00

Start Date: August 16, 2017

End Date: November 30, 2023

Duration: 6.3 years

Project Description

The project aims to increase inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Burkina Faso. It is active in the Boucle du Mouhoun region with particular emphasis on the communes of Bana and Kona. The project carries out integrated interventions with activities that include electrifying 14 localities from the national electricity grid promoting certified solar lamps in rural areas and equipping 30 remote health centres with solar energy systems. In addition the project contributes to create new jobs for women and young entrepreneurs in the region by promoting the development of businesses and economic activities enabled by electricity as well as by access to financing and vocational training. The project also contributes to building an enabling environment for electrification and related economic development through the improvement of local governance the establishment of electricity management structures as well as technical assistance to local authorities and support to the Ministry of Energy.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased income and number of job opportunities for women in the Boucle du Mouhoun region; and (2) the promotion of an environment conducive to electrification and gender-sensitive economic development.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of March 2023 include: (1) provided electricity to approximately 13 416 people in 16 villages that will allow them to develop sustainable economic activities; (2) improved access to basic social services for 376 818 people using the 30 Health and Social Promotion Centers equipped with solar systems to power electricity. 9 additional enters were provided simple easy-to-install solar kits. Findings from all the health centers show that they are being used frequently; (3) establishment of a social enterprise network for the sale of solar lamps and kits; (4) supported 128 agricultural enterprises including 36 women's cooperatives and 92 individual entrepreneurs (54 women and 38 men) with solar equipment; and (5) supported the Ministerial unit for Gender Promotion of the Ministry of Energy to implement their three-year action plan.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
Cowater International Inc.

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
WGM Africa

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Energy policy and administrative management 10%
Energy education/training 15%
Solar energy 25%
Electric power transmission and  distribution 50%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Level 2 Climate change mitigation
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2016-04-01 to 2017-03-31 $16,875,245 CAD
Geographic Information
856";Budget Type:Original;Start Date:2017-04-01;End Date:2018-03-31;Value Date:2017-08-16;Value:"$3
Reference ID: 939