On November 25, Turkish group Aksa Enerji announced the launch of a 119-megawatt fuel-fired power plant project in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou. The company has signed a 20-year electricity sales agreement with Burkina Faso’s national electricity company, Société nationale d’électricité du Burkina (Sonabel), securing the full resale of the plant’s output for two decades. The total investment amount for the facility has not been disclosed.
Strengthening national energy security
The thermal plant is scheduled to be operational in the last quarter of 2026. Aksa Enerji stated that the installation is designed to meet growing electricity demand, driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth. The project will help stabilise electricity supply in the capital and surrounding areas, while also generating direct and indirect local employment opportunities.
The company indicated that construction will involve regional suppliers to promote economic integration within the local industrial network. Operation of the plant will also include technical training for Burkinabe teams.
Turkish group’s strategic expansion in Africa
Active on the continent for over 25 years, Aksa Enerji has already completed several energy projects in Africa, including in Ghana and Senegal. Cemil Kazancı, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the company, stated that the Ouagadougou project reflects the group’s long-term strategy to expand its footprint across Africa.
According to him, “the initiative we are taking today significantly reflects our long-term value creation vision in Africa.” He added that the company would deploy proven technical solutions to ensure rapid delivery times and efficient operations.
A regional context favourable to thermal expansion
In a regional context marked by rising energy needs, Burkina Faso is seeking to diversify its power supply sources. The commissioning of this power plant is part of a broader strategy to reduce the structural shortfall in electricity production, particularly in fast-growing urban areas.
Aksa Enerji is simultaneously pursuing other projects on the continent, including a 1,000 MW thermal plant in Gabon. This investment strategy relies on long-term contractual partnerships with national electricity distributors, aiming to secure revenues while strengthening its presence in African markets.
