PIDG invests $5 million to expand Afreenergy Solar in Senegal     

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) has committed €4.3 million (about $5 million) to expand Afreenergy Solar, a platform focused on clean energy for commercial and industrial (C&I) users in Senegal.

The investment, announced at the Future of Energy Summit in Amsterdam, will be made through PIDG’s project development arm, InfraCo. 

The funding will support Afreenergy Solar as it grows in Senegal, with plans to extend into parts of West and Central Africa over time.

Expanding solar for industry 

Afreenergy Solar plans to build up to 30 megawatts of solar capacity and 10 megawatt-hours of battery storage. The rollout will take place in two phases, targeting sectors such as agro-processing, logistics and other energy-intensive industries. 

The company will bundle multiple client sites to lower costs and offer systems through lease-to-own or power purchase agreements. Its on-site solar and storage systems are designed to improve power reliability, with customers expected to cut energy costs by as much as 30% compared with grid supply. 

Chief Executive Officer Christian Cachat said the investment gives the company room to grow while staying focused on practical solutions. 

“This support allows us to expand our platform in Senegal and prepare for wider growth,” Cachat said. “We are focused on delivering reliable power that helps businesses manage costs and operate more efficiently.” 

Omar Jabri, PIDG’s head of business development for Africa at InfraCo, said the partnership reflects the group’s focus on supporting infrastructure that can attract further investment. 

“We are working to expand access to reliable and cleaner energy for businesses in Senegal,” Jabri said. “Projects like this help support economic growth while reducing emissions.”

Supporting Senegal’s energy goals 

Many businesses in Senegal still depend on oil and other fossil fuels for power. Afreenergy Solar’s approach is intended to offer an alternative that reduces that reliance. 

The project also supports the government’s target of increasing renewable energy to 40% of the national mix by 2030. That goal forms part of Senegal’s €2.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership agreement with G7 countries signed in 2024. 

PIDG has increased its activity in Senegal in recent years, backing projects in electric mobility and renewable energy. These include Walo Solar, a grid-connected solar and battery storage facility supported through the Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund.

PIDG backs InfraCo, Afreenergy expansion

Founded in 2002, PIDG works to mobilize private investment in infrastructure across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. Its projects have supported access to improved infrastructure for more than 200 million people and attracted billions of dollars in total investment. 

InfraCo, one of its key units, develops early-stage projects in sectors including power, water and telecommunications, helping bring them to a point where they can secure financing. 

Afreenergy Solar, for its part, is building a portfolio of solar, storage and hydro projects across Africa. The company has more than 300 megawatts of projects in development and plans to grow that pipeline over the next few years. 

As the Senegal project moves forward, it is expected to draw additional private capital and support further expansion across the region.