Mali secures funding for Bamako 225 kv power loop

The Malian government has finalized the financing arrangements for the North 225 kV high-voltage loop around Bamako, securing a total investment of 166 million euros. This critical infrastructure project will serve as the backbone for the capital’s electricity supply, extending reliable power to its urban and peri-urban areas. The initiative is set to connect 10,000 new households and small businesses while enhancing the energy supply for nearly 40 industrial facilities.

The project, known as the PBNB, involves constructing a 103 km double-circuit 225 kV transmission line linking key locations such as Kodialani, Kambila, Safo, and Dialakorobougou. Additionally, it includes expanding two existing substations and establishing three new transformer stations, with critical hubs planned in Safo and Kénié.

In early July, the project reached a pivotal milestone when the National Transitional Council of Mali approved the loan agreements signed between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Malian government on February 25, 2026. This approval follows a series of prior financing agreements, including a 68 million euro loan from the Islamic Development Bank in December 2025, a 43.7 million euro commitment from the West African Development Bank in May 2025, and an initial 45 million euro pledge from the European Investment Bank in December 2020.

The AfDB’s contribution, totaling 57.8 million euros, will be disbursed through multiple financial instruments. The African Development Fund, a concessional lending arm of the AfDB, provided a 30.8 million euro loan, while the Transition Support Facility contributed a 16.6 million euro loan. The Climate Investment Fund offered a 4.4 million euro loan alongside a 5.9 million euro grant, complemented by an additional 1.9 million euro grant from the Green Climate Fund. Together, these funds cover 36.13% of the project’s total cost, with the Malian government contributing an additional 3.6% through co-financing.

According to AfDB officials, the completed infrastructure will not only bolster Bamako’s current power grid but also prepare the network for future energy sources. These include the upcoming Guinea-Mali interconnection, the Manantali 2 power line, and planned solar plants in Kambila and Safo.