Solafrique

SOLAFRIQUE is a Burkina Faso company founded in 2014, specializing in access to water and electricity through solar solutions tailored to rural and peri-urban areas. The company designs and installs agricultural irrigation systems, solar mini-grids and solar kits for households, based on flexible payment models such as Pay-As-You-Go. The company is also developing renewable energy training courses to strengthen local skills. Its aim: to make clean energy accessible to all, while improving the living conditions and economic autonomy of rural populations.

The entrepreneur

Ernest ASSO, a 37-year-old engineer from Burkina Faso specializing in solar pumping systems, is the founder of SOLAFRIQUE. With over 10 years' experience in renewable energies, he combines technical expertise, social commitment and entrepreneurial vision to democratize access to energy and water in rural areas.

Partnership with I&P and Néré Capital

Solafrique is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a 4.8 million euro program to finance and support a dozen start-ups and SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa offering digital solutions for access to affordable energy, backed by AFD and the EU. In Burkina Faso, this program is implemented by Néré Capital.

This 196 million F CFA financing will enable SOLAFRIQUE to :

• Expand its infrastructure by increasing the capacity of the Wapassi mini-grid and installing a new solar power plant in Namogo, in order to electrify 750 new beneficiaries in rural areas;
• Develop shared solar irrigation solutions, by setting up mutualized systems to improve farmers' access to water and strengthen local food security;
• Create jobs and strengthen its impact, consolidating over 30 existing positions, generating some 20 new jobs, and reaching over 10,000 beneficiaries with clean, affordable energy.