Alidou works with the government in Burkina Faso to implement renewable energy projects such as the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) and is vested in enhancing access to reliable and quality energy services for rural communities, especially those in off-grid areas.
Each month, the Africa Minigrids Program aims to spotlight an individual from one of the participating countries working tirelessly to advance the initiative at the regional or national level.
December’s Champion of the Month, Alidou Koutou, serves as the Director General of Energy at Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Quarries. He oversees the Energy Budget Program and chairs the steering committee for its associated projects, including the AMP.
Q: What’s your story—how did you end up working in the clean energy industry?
A: A: I hold a PhD and master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Université du Québec à Trois Rivières in Canada, as well as a master’s degree in electrical engineering, energy and renewable energy from the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. My history in the energy sector began in 2003 with the National Electricity Company of Burkina Faso (SONABEL) until 2012. I then embarked on an international career, notably in North America (Canada), the Middle East (Iraq, Yemen, Iran), Europe (Switzerland), Central Africa (Congo Kinshasa, Brazzaville, Tanzania, Uganda) and West Africa (Nigeria, Niger, Chad).
I am currently the Director General of Energy and cumulatively responsible for the Energy Budget Program at the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries of Burkina Faso. My department is responsible for formulating, coordinating, monitoring and implementing the Ministry’s policy in the fields of conventional electricity, hydrocarbons, renewable energies and energy efficiency, in conjunction with the department’s structures, other ministries, local authorities, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
In this capacity, I chair the steering committees for the portfolio of projects attached to the energy budget program, including the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP).
Q: Briefly describe your role and involvement with AMP so far.
A: The national AMP project is under the technical supervision of the Ministry in charge of energy, which implements national policy. The Directorate General for Energy, the Ministry’s operational arm for energy policy, is responsible for implementing component 1 of the PN_AMP, entitled “policy and regulation”. In this capacity, as Director General, I am responsible for all activities relating to the implementation of Component 1, including the development of various policy and strategy documents, such as the National Rural Electrification Strategy (SNER) 2024-2028 and its action plan and regulatory texts. This includes Decree 1023 on the organization of rural electrification in Burkina Faso and its implementing regulations, the ongoing national dialogue to define a model for the delivery of minigrids, and capacity-building sessions on minigrid pricing.
As program manager, I chair the sessions of the project steering committee, which meets twice a year to review the progress of activities and validate the annual work plan and budget. The steering committee is the body that guides programs and projects by Burkina Faso regulations.
Q: What excites you most about the potential of AMP, specifically in your country?
A: What fascinates me about the AMP is its holistic approach to the issue of rural electrification. Indeed, improving access to quality energy services for rural populations, particularly those living in off-grid localities, requires drawing up strategic planning documents and improving the regulatory and policy framework to attract new investors, particularly the private sector. The AMP project is part of this dynamic.
Q: What is one thing you want people to know about minigrids and access to electricity?
A: Minigrids are a technological option that is appropriate in some instances, particularly for localities that are quite far from the National Interconnected Electricity Grid. This is why, in the SNER 2024 -2028, the private sector is a key player and is invited to support the State by constructing minigrids. Reforms are also underway as part of the implementation of the SNER. Notably, adopting a decree (decree no. 1023 of September 2, 2024) reorganises the electrification of rural centres in Burkina Faso, which places the private sector at the heart of rural electrification (concession zone).
