A specialized training workshop on the Desert to Power Initiative's Joint Protocol for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) was held in Abidjan from December 1-3, 2025. The event, attended by officials from five Sahel nations, aimed to accelerate the development of competitive and bankable solar energy projects across the region by standardizing contract and negotiation processes.

Standardizing the Path to Solar Development

The workshop was a direct response to recommendations from African energy ministers, seeking to disseminate a standardized toolkit for solar project development. Sessions focused on contract models, risk management, and the application of pre-approved documentation designed to slash negotiation timelines and improve project bankability.

"Thanks to the Joint IPP Protocol, this first private sector power project became a reality," said Mamadou Kane, Desert to Power focal point for Mauritania.

Mauritania's Success Story

A key highlight was the testimony from Mauritania, the first country to implement the Joint IPP Protocol for its inaugural IPP project with IWA Green Energy. Officials reported that using the toolkit reduced the project cycle from negotiations to financial close to a record ten months, from November 2024 to September 2025. This project was recently presented at the Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, where it attracted significant investor interest.

Building Regional Capacity

Participants included Desert to Power focal points from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad, alongside legal experts, energy ministry representatives, and utility officials. The training combined plenary discussions with practical exercises, including role-playing negotiation sessions, to build hands-on skills.

Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, underscored the initiative's broader goal:

"With Desert to Power and Mission 300, we have a unique opportunity to electrify 300 million people by 2030 and make the Sahel a model for sustainable energy transition."

A Foundation for Future Investment

Olivier Pognon, Director of the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), which supported the workshop, emphasized its strategic importance. He described it as a key moment in consolidating a shared vision for the Sahel, grounded in harmonized approaches and stronger institutional capacity for attracting private solar investment.

Participants confirmed the practical value of the training. Rozzi Kellemi Brahim, Director of Legal Affairs at Chad’s Ministry of Energy, noted it helped identify concrete solutions to accelerate solar project implementation and complemented other capacity-building programs in the region.