Feasibility (S2B). Sanankoroba 150 MW construction began May 2024. Three sites: Fana, Bougouni, Sanankoroba. 498 GWh/year. IRR 12-15%.
Description
WAPP implementation strategy for integrated West African electricity market. Utility-scale solar PV across three sites: Fana, Bougouni, Sanankoroba. 150 MW total. Annual production 498 GWh. Construction began on 150 MW Sanankoroba plant May 2024. Increases renewable energy (Solar, Wind) in regional energy mix.
Capex Cost
250.00USD million
Preparation Cost
5.00
Revenue Model
Long-term PPAs with national utility and WAPP
Project Risk
Security risks; Financing challenges; Grid integration; Land use management; Mali political instability
Enabling Environment Stage (S0) — no progress since 2020. Libya ongoing political instability (two competing government factions) severely constrains implementation. Very small project: USD 0.4M for 15 pastoral wells. No implementation milestones confirmed. Traffic light: Red due to political constraints.
Description
Installation of solar and wind-powered pumps on 15 pastoral wells in Sahel Al-Jafara region of Libya for sustainable water extraction. The project aims to create pastoral areas and natural reserves, increase vegetation cover, combat desertification, and support climate change adaptation for 250,000 residents in the community. Note: Libya's ongoing political instability since 2011 (two competing governments) severely constrains implementation of this and other infrastructure projects.
EAC-IGAD Smart Hub; Mombasa Smart Hub; Regional PoP Network
Reference Plan
PIDA PAP 2
On SDM
Off
Summary
Project confirmed at S3A Project Structuring stage as of 2024 — one stage ahead of the 2022 assessment. ESG studies completed. PPP transaction advisory ongoing. July 18, 2025: Kenya and Tanzania officially launched a cross-border terrestrial fiber link connecting Dar es Salaam to Mombasa at the Lunga Lunga/Horohoro border post — a direct enabler of this Smart Hub corridor. Advancing toward PPP financial close.
Description
Interconnects Kenya and neighbouring countries — Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania — through strategically placed submarine fiber Points-of-Presence (PoPs) and a high-capacity Smart Hub Data Centre in Mombasa. The project reduces international routing dependency, improves intra-African data sovereignty, and enables secure digital corridors. It connects to the TEAMS and other submarine cables landing in Mombasa. Design throughput of 12 Tbps. 400 Gbps connectivity to TEAMS marine fiber. ESG studies completed. Suitable for PPP investment with strong coordination through EAC and IGAD. Serves an estimated 285 million potential users across East Africa.
Capex Cost
70.00USD million
Preparation Cost
5,000,000.00
Revenue Model
Infrastructure access fees, data center hosting, cloud services, and peering charges
Project Risk
PPP structuring complexity and private investor engagement requirements; Cross-border coordination across 6 EAC and IGAD countries; Technical implementation across multiple regulatory environments; Smart Hub location finalisation pending
Countries
Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda
Stakeholders
East African Community
Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
The project involves constructing a high-capacity, open-access terrestrial fiber optic backbone across six Sahel and North African nations. The Algeria segment (1,200 km) is operational. A 1,031 km section in Niger was provisionally accepted in November 2023, with construction ongoing in other countries. The project is structured as a public-private partnership, with significant financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank. It is a flagship PIDA project addressing critical ICT infrastructure gaps in the region.
Description
The Trans-Saharan Optic Fibre Broadband Project is a major terrestrial backbone designed to span over 4,500 km, connecting Algeria, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Mali, and Mauritania. The project utilizes G.654.D fiber, optimized for long-haul transmission, and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology to provide high-capacity bandwidth. It aims to create an alternative digital gateway to Europe via Algiers, linking landlocked Sahel countries to multiple submarine cable landing points. The design includes open-access Points-of-Presence (PoPs) and Tier III data center standards for hosting. The project is a key component of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Priority Action Plan (PAP 2) and is implemented by the Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone Company (TSFOBC), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by the six member countries.
This is a multi-country regional project managed by CICOS to unlock the economic potential of the Congo Basin's extensive inland waterways. It is currently in the Project Definition stage (S1), having advanced from Enabling Environment in 2024. The project faces significant implementation challenges, including the security situation in eastern DRC and complex multi-country coordination, reflected in its 'Red' traffic light status. Total project cost is estimated at USD 93.8 million, with a financing structure of 90% grant funding and 10% national contributions. A preparation cost of USD 5 million is identified, with a USD 2.5 million funding gap.
Port Sudan-Douala Corridor Sudan Section; Sudan Digital Gateway
Reference Plan
PIDA PAP 2
On SDM
Off
Summary
Project at Pre-feasibility Stage (S2A), one stage advanced from 2020 baseline. August 2024: Emergency Telecommunications Cluster activated a 1 Gbps subsea fiber connection at Port Sudan landing site for humanitarian communications. April 2025: ETC Sudan SitRep confirms humanitarian operations leverage undersea-fed connectivity at 16+ sites across Port Sudan, Kassala, Dongola, and Al-Gedarif. Commercial project progress severely constrained by ongoing Sudan conflict. Pre-feasibility studies continuing where field access permits.
Description
High-quality ducted fiber corridor linking Port Sudan undersea cable landings to inland Central African states, supporting broadband connectivity to Chad, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. The corridor positions Sudan as a digital gateway for landlocked Sahel countries, reducing satellite reliance particularly for humanitarian actors. Technical design specifies high-quality ducted fiber at 130-170 cm depth with multi-mode capacity and distributed open access points. Project implementation is severely constrained by the ongoing Sudan conflict (commenced April 2023). Pre-feasibility studies are ongoing but field access is limited. The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) has demonstrated the strategic value of the Port Sudan cable landing for humanitarian connectivity.
Capex Cost
55.00USD million
Revenue Model
Service and access fees from regional connectivity and wholesale bandwidth
Project Risk
Active Sudan conflict severely constraining institutional capacity and field access; Regional stability and security concerns across the corridor; Cross-border coordination challenges with Chad, CAR, and South Sudan; Implementation timeline highly uncertain until conflict resolution
Countries
Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan
SADC Data Centre; Southern Africa Regional Data Hub
Reference Plan
PIDA PAP 2
On SDM
Off
Summary
Project at Project Definition stage (S1), having advanced from Enabling Environment (S0). May 2025: Digital Investment Facility (DIF) confirmed comprehensive feasibility, market, and regulatory study underway with investor engagement anticipated toward end-2025. Openserve signalled interest in a regional interconnection support role. EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, managed by AfDB, funded the feasibility study. Strong institutional backing from SADC Secretariat.
Description
Strategic ICT infrastructure project to develop a Tier III certified, carrier-neutral data centre serving as the primary regional digital hub for the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The facility will host the SADC Regional Internet Exchange Point (IXP), ICANN Root Server Instances, and cloud services infrastructure. Tier III certification guarantees 99.982% uptime with maximum 1.6 hours downtime annually, N+1 fault tolerant systems, and 72-hour power protection. Designed as a public-private partnership (PPP). Objectives include improving data sovereignty, reducing latency, and lowering internet access costs across SADC. The Digital Investment Facility (DIF) is conducting a comprehensive feasibility, market, and regulatory study. Total facility investment estimated at USD 10 million.
Site selection across SADC member states; Power supply reliability and renewable energy integration; Financing structure and PPP investor engagement; Long-term operational sustainability; Security management and cyber resilience
Countries
Angola, Zambia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, SADC Countries
Project at Feasibility Stage (S2B), advanced from S2A in 2024. VBA PAGERE programme conducting feasibility studies. Burkina Faso political instability since 2022 is a risk factor for implementation. Direct beneficiaries include 160,000 producers; 10 million inhabitants in Volta Basin benefit.
Description
Multipurpose dam project on the Mouhoun (Black Volta) River near Noumbiel in Burkina Faso, aimed at strengthening cooperation between Burkina Faso, Ghana, and CĂ´te d'Ivoire through joint water resource development. The project is part of the Volta Basin Authority (VBA) PAGERE programme which includes Component 2: feasibility studies for the Noumbiel multi-use dam. The PAGERE programme is developing a hydro-economic model for the Volta Basin and conducting technical, social and environmental feasibility studies. Note: Burkina Faso has experienced military coups in 2022 which create additional implementation risk.
Project at Feasibility Stage (S2B). Feasibility studies completed ~2020. ESIAs to be undertaken as next step. Named PWC focal points confirmed: Ms Ndina Nashipili (Namibia Deputy Director) and Mr. Luckson Machingambi (South Africa Chief Engineer). Structure to be defined after feasibility studies. Start date: 2015 (initial studies).
Description
The Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift Dam (NVD) on the Lower Orange River (international border between Namibia and South Africa) will increase the long-term sustainable yield of the Orange River System to replace yield loss due to upstream Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 2 developments; provide for projected growth in water requirements in both countries; compensate for environmental water requirement impacts; and provide re-regulation storage for seasonal flow management. Dam design: concrete face rockfill, 122.6 km route length. Feasibility studies completed approximately 2020 by PWC. ESIA studies pending. Project managed by the Permanent Water Commission (PWC) — the bilateral water authority between Namibia and South Africa.