In the remote villages of Burkina Faso, the return of electricity isn’t just a matter of turning on the lights, it’s also a means of reviving opportunity, dignity and hope.
In the video below, people from some of those rural communities talk about how access to energy through minigrids has transformed their lives, and how daily life is without it. From students studying by flashlight to shopkeepers losing income due to lack of refrigeration, the impact of unreliable electricity is deeply felt.
AMP Burkina Faso, in partnership with the Agence Burkinabè de l’Électrification Rurale (ABER), is working to rehabilitate and reinforce six existing minigrids. These systems have long supplied electricity to households, schools, community infrastructure such as medical centers, maternity wards, youth centers and businesses in underserved areas. Rehabilitating and modernizing these minigrids will enable residents to work, earn an income, learn and thrive thanks to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
“For the pupils to study at night, we had to buy torches. And the children don’t feel comfortable learning this way. If we had electricity, we wouldn’t have this problem. Before, with the electric mill, even during the rainy season, we had flour. Now, when it rains, we have to boil the millet because we can’t cross the river to grind it. The rehabilitation of the minigrid will help us enormously. We can’t list all the advantages of electricity. – Geswendé Odil Ouédraogo, housewife
“I used to sell five or six cases of drinks and earn at least 10,000 to 15,000 CFA francs a day selling water. Since the closure of the minigrid, my yield has plummeted”. – Rasmané Rakientga, local trader
“If we have electricity, it will solve a lot of our problems. Children will be able to study in the evenings, welders and millers will be able to work at any time, and we women will be the biggest beneficiaries.” – Martine Illy, restaurateur
These testimonials reflect a wider truth: for many people in rural areas, access to energy means empowerment. It means regaining control over time, work and education. For them, the return of electricity is the return of opportunity.
Through this initiative and partnership, hope has been renewed, and efforts toward reinforcement and rehabilitation are underway in the communities of Baribsi and Goalla.
We’re delighted because economic activity is going to pick up.”
– Nedjiguirde Koncombo, representative of the Village Development Committee (CVD), Baribsi
Featured communities: Baribsi and Goalla
Baribsi, in the north of Passoré province, has a population of around 3,000. Its economy is based on commerce (small stores, maquis and informal restaurants), crafts (hairdressing, food processing) and agriculture (market gardening). The village’s minigrid is powered by a 36.4 kWp photovoltaic solar power plant with 70 kWh of battery storage.
Goalla, in the Plateau Central region, has around 3,650 inhabitants spread over six districts. Its economy is based on agriculture (millet, corn, sesame), commerce, crafts and livestock. The Goalla minigrid includes a 20.8 kWp photovoltaic solar power plant with 70 kWh storage.
At both sites, ongoing upgrades enhance the capacity and reliability of the minigrid systems:
- Solar field: Additional capacity of 23.8 kWp
- Battery storage: Replacement with 60 kWh LiFePO₄ lithium batteries
- Low-voltage (LV) grid: Extension of distribution network by 1.2 km
- Water infrastructure: Equipped borehole and 2 m³ water tower
- Connections: 16 new household and business subscribers
- Equipment for productive use: Agricultural processing (AGR), refrigeration, hairdressing, milling and solar street lighting kits.
Access to energy in Burkina Faso: current situation
Universal access to modern, affordable energy remains a national priority in Burkina Faso. Through agencies like ABER and with the support of partners like UNDP, the government has made steady progress. Between 2016 and 2023, national electricity coverage rose from 35.9% to 52.25%, and the number of electrified localities more than doubled, from 625 to 1,287. Urban electrification now stands at 87.04%, but rural access remains much lower, at just 7.02%.
This progress is encouraging, but the gap between urban and rural access underscores the urgency of targeted action in underserved communities.
Future prospects and the importance of minigrids
To fill this gap, the government of Burkina Faso has adopted a national rural electrification strategy (2024-2028) with UNDP support. This strategy prioritizes the use of appropriate technologies, in particular solar mini-grids, as a practical and scalable solution for isolated communities. With abundant solar resources and falling technological costs, the potential is significant.
As Mr. B. Roger Ouédraogo, Project Manager at AMP Burkina, explains, this initiative goes far beyond simply switching on the lights. It aims to provide access to productive tools, such as cold storage kits, hairdressing and weaving equipment, grain mills and solar irrigation systems, that can empower rural populations economically. By enabling income-generating activities, these tools promote self-reliance and strengthen long-term resilience.
This project is just one step in a larger vision: a future where no community is left in the dark. Thanks to strong partnerships, local leadership and community voice, the journey towards universal access to energy in Burkina Faso is gaining momentum and paving the way for the future.