Mali has finalized the financing arrangements for the critical 225 kV northern high-voltage loop project around Bamako, securing a total investment commitment of 166 million euros. This infrastructure initiative will serve as the backbone of the capital city’s power supply network and its surrounding peri-urban areas. The project, endorsed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), is designed to connect 10,000 new households and small businesses while significantly boosting the reliability of electricity supply for approximately 40 industrial facilities.
The project encompasses the construction of a 103 km double-circuit 225 kV transmission line linking Kodialani, Kambila, Safo, and Dialakorobougou. Additionally, it includes upgrades to two existing substations and the establishment of three new transformer stations, with key installations planned for Safo and Kénié.
In early July, the project achieved a major milestone when Mali’s National Transitional Council (CNT) formally approved the loan agreements signed between the AfDB and the Malian government on February 25, 2026. This ratification follows several other financial milestones, including a 68 million euro loan commitment from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in December 2025, a 43.7 million euro pledge from the West African Development Bank (BOAD) in May 2025, and an initial 45 million euro financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in December 2020.
The AfDB’s contribution, totaling 166 million euros, is structured through multiple financial instruments. The African Development Fund, the AfDB’s concessional lending arm, provided a 30.8 million euro loan, while the Transition Support Facility contributed 16.6 million euros. Additional funding includes a 4.4 million euro loan and a 5.9 million euro grant from the Climate Investment Funds, along with a 1.9 million euro grant from the Green Climate Fund. Together, these resources cover 36.13% of the project’s total cost, with the Malian government contributing an additional 3.6% through co-financing.
The enhanced transmission capacity will not only support current energy demands but also pave the way for future power sources, including the Guinea-Mali interconnection, the Manantali 2 line, and planned solar power plants in Kambila and Safo, as highlighted by the AfDB.