Senegal has just sealed a major strategic partnership with the Chinese group Ansola, which specialises in renewable energy. Following a meeting with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the company announced an initial investment of $70 million (nearly €60 million) to set up a photovoltaic equipment manufacturing plant.
This investment, which is in line with the announcements made at the "Invest in Senegal Forum" last October, marks a concrete step towards realising the country's energy ambitions. Ansola CEO Tom Lee justified this choice by citing "Senegal's political stability, its geographical position and the authorities' efforts to promote clean energy".
The operation is a boost for the "National Energy Pact" unveiled in early 2025. The government is aiming for an electricity mix comprising 40% renewable energy and a 70% increase in production capacity by 2030. The Ansola plant is expected to contribute to this goal while creating 400 direct jobs upon launch and enabling significant technology transfer across the solar value chain.
For analysts, this commitment sends a strong signal to international markets. It demonstrates Senegal's attractiveness for private investment in energy transition, a sector in which the country aims to raise £2.3 billion by 2030. As Professor Fall Mbaye, Director General of the National Institute of Oil and Gas, pointed out, controlled, abundant and competitive energy is the key to attracting industry and aspiring to become a leading energy hub in Africa.
This project, for which a second phase of equivalent funding is already planned for the development of accessories, positions Senegal as an emerging player in the solar industry on the continent.