Ivory Coast is planning an investment of $45.4 million (€40 million) in a smart power grid in an effort to boost electricity exports.

“We are investing in digital because we want a smart network for an optimum management of electricity exports to neighbouring countries and because of the constant growth of the local demand,” director of power sector management agency CI-Energies, Amidou Traore, told the media at a press conference, reports Reuters.

“There is a growing West African market for electricity. Ivory Coast wants to have a major part in it,” Traore added.

The project, which is financed by the European Investment Bank and lead by China’s Machinery Engineering Corp, France’s General Electric Grid Solution and Switzerland’s ABB Group, will be based in the capital Yamoussoukro and should start operating in 2020.

Source: Reuters