NEWS

Off-grid electricity: the beneficiary populations of 20 localities approve the mini-grid projects co-financed by MCA-Benin II

Under the Off-grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF), the Millennium Challenge Account Benin II (MCA-Benin II) has selected about fifteen private projects to bring electricity to people in rural and peri-urban areas and ENGIE Powercorner Benin Sas has been selected to electrify 20 localities.

read more 2022

Tchinacomey: Launch of a project that brings hope to the villagers

On July 18, 2022, ESF - Electriciens Sans Frontières (Electricians Without Borders) officialized the construction launch of the 1st Benin Light Café and thus took a first step towards light for the village of Tchinacomey, in collaboration with the renowned consortium SONAGNON - SONGHAÏ - CID PARMIGA.

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Lagazel distributes lamps and solar kits in Glazoué

Six months after the inauguration of its lamp and solar kit manufacturing workshop in Porto Novo, Benin, Lagazel is continuing its development in favor of a sustainable industrial model and is multiplying its actions in favor of families without access to electricity. On May 9, 2022, in Glazoué, and more precisely in the Zaffé district, Lagazel distributed nearly 650 lamps and solar kits to widowed women and schoolchildren, enabling these households to benefit from quality lighting.

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Water for the 29,000 inhabitants of Kalalé

In Kalalé, in the northeast of Benin, sanitary water is difficult to access. In this township of nearly 200,000 inhabitants, some districts (villages) do not have access to water. Women and girls have to travel miles from their villages to access drinking water wells.

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Practice workshop : MCA-Benin II trains OCEF promoters in communication tools

It was with this in mind that MCA-Benin II organized on April 12 and 14, 2022, the second part of the communication workshop for promoters who are beneficiaries of the OCEF Facility. This practical training also includes a dimension of institutional communication, to enable OCEF promoters not only to be able to communicate about their different products to the target populations, but also to be able to communicate about the partnership with the Millennium Challenge Account Benin II and the United States of America through the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

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MCA-Benin II sets a new path through the OCEF Facility

On november 16, 2021, the company ASEMI.SA signed its convention of concession with the Beninese Agency for Rural Electrification and Energy Management (ABERME) for its project to develop and operate 6 mini-grids in Benin. This is a first both in Benin and in the West African sub-region. This signature comes within the framework of the implementation of the OCEF Facility, a pilot project of MCA-Benin II which sets a new path in the regulatory framework of off-grid electrification in the Republic of Benin.

read more 2021

40 localities in Benin to be electrified soon

As part of the off-grid electrification of 40 localities in the departments of ATLANTIC, ZOU, COUFFO, MONO, COLLINES and OUEME by the company Mionwa, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE) organized public consultations from 15 to 20 November 2021. Actually, the electrification project of the company Mionwa co-financed by the Millennium Challenge Account-Benin II (MCA-Benin II) was submitted to the appreciation of the populations of the concerned localities.

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Interactive workshop on the Gender and Social Inclusion approach for OCEF promoters

The Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) approach was the theme of an OCEF workshop held from October 25 to 29 and from November 3 to 4 2021. This workshop, organized in two sessions and facilitated by Ms. ASARE-KOKOU, OCEF gender expert, and her assistant Ms. Diane KINDJI ZINSOU, aimed at explaining the gender approach and the inclusion of different social categories in the implementation of different projects co-financed by the OCEF Facility of MCA-Benin II.

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LAGAZEL: LAUNCH OF THE PRODUCTION UNIT IN PORTO-NOVO

We opened the ball on October 7, 2021 with our promoter LAGAZEL who has just inaugurated the first Beninese workshop for the assembly of solar lamps and kits in Porto Novo, Benin. The "Benin Zawoué" project submitted by LAGAZEL and selected at the end of the second call for projects of the OCEF Clean Energy Facility ocef of MCA Benin II, aims to sell more than 20,000 solar home

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PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF 20,000 SOLAR KITS: A MULTI-IMPACT INNOVATION BY LAGAZEL

LAGAZEL has concretized one of the great innovations with a strong environmental, social, and economic impact of Benin. In addition to its projects in France and Burkina-Faso, the LAGAZEL group has chosen to revolutionize Benin's energy sector through the installation and operationalization of an assembly unit for solar lamps and kits; a first in Benin.

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POPULATIONS OF 43 RURAL LOCALITIES IN BENIN READY FOR THE PURCHASE OF OFF-GRID ELECTRICITY

The MCA-Benin has, within the framework of the OCEF Facility, initialed between June and August 2020, the co-financing agreements for the 8 projects for the installation and operation of mini-grids, selected at the end of its second call for projects from the OCEF Benin Facility. The aim is not only to bring clean and decentralised electrical energy to the rural communit

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127 Benin's localities to be electrified !

By June 2023, more than 127 localities throughout Benin will be electrified via mini grids co-financed by the OCEF facility. Nearly 38 municipalities spread over all departments (apart from the Littoral) have been targeted:

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MCA-Benin II Facility perspectives 2021

2020 was a special year for the MCA-Benin II OCEF. Indeed, the motivation of the 16 promoters, the partners, and the Facility Manager made it possible to achieve commendable results for the year, even though some of the activities were postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 and the related constraints.

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MCA-Benin II’s OCEF Facility Key results in 2020

Strengthening the business environment for Benin's renewable energy and off-grid electrification sectors has enabled the MCA-Benin II OCEF Facility to secure the commitment of 16 organizations and consortia of organizations to provide viable clean energy solutions to unserved rural populations.

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An interministerial order to organize the implementation of minimum performance requirements and the energy labeling system in the Republic of Benin

Within the framework of energy efficiency activities, MCA-Benin II provided government and private structures with the technical support necessary to enable the implementation in Benin of the standards and technical regulations defining the minimum energy performance requirements (NPEM) and the energy labeling system for lamps, air conditioners and refrigerators.

read more 2020

OCEF increases opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the field of energy in Benin

Today in Benin, the multiplicity of off-grid electrification and energy efficiency projects gives women the opportunity to act as entrepreneurs and energy users. OCEF in partnership with Energy for Impact has initiated a series of discussions between the winning promoters of the calls for project proposals and the women entrepreneurs benefiting from the WEE Initiative (Women Energy Entrepreneurship Initiative).

read more 2020

"We are working to sign the concession agreements with the OCEF promoters of mini-grids projects, so that work can start in the field": Gbèdonougbo Claude GBAGUIDI

Mr. Gbèdonougbo Claude GBAGUIDI, President of the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Benin (ARE) talks to us about the role of ARE in guaranteeing a quality and equitable service to consumers, the collaboration with MCA-Benin II and Benin's prospects for off-grid electrification. Mr. President, can you explain the role of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE) in Benin's off-grid electrification policy?

read more 2020

Gabin Joseph DEGBEY: "Today in Benin, it is essential to buy new lamps and air conditioners that bear energy labels with more stars"

Gabin Joseph K. DEGBEY, Director of Standardization and Promotion of Quality Infrastructure at the National Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control (ANM) talks to us about the implementation of Decree No. 2018-563 of December 19, 2018 setting the minimum energy performance standards and the energy labeling system for lamps and air conditioners in the Republic of Benin.

read more 2020

Signature of co-financing agreements : MCA-Benin II supports the 11 selected companies of the OCEF Second Call for Proposals

The Millennium Challenge Account-Benin II (MCA-Benin II) has signed co-financing agreements for a total value of USD 69.5 million (about 38,249,590,000 FCFA) with the eleven (11) selected companies for the second Call for Proposals of the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF). The various initiatives selected aim at developing off-grid energy solutions and improving energy efficiency in Benin.

read more 2020

Sylvain SEKLOKA: "Localities planned to be connected to the grid in 10 or even 15 years will be electrified now thanks to off-grid electrification.»

Sylvain SEKLOKA, Director of Rural Electrification at the Beninese Agency for Rural Electrification and Energy Management (ABERME) talks about the challenges of rural electrification in Benin and the importance of OCEF to boost off-grid electrification. This exchange was an opportunity to learn more about ABERME's responsibilities and its contribution to the implementation of the business initiatives selected by OCEF.

read more 2020

OCEF First Call for Proposals: Information session for recipients of co-financing

As off-grid electrification initiatives are being implemented in the field, the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) gave some recommendations to the recipients of its First Call for Project Proposals through an information session organized on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 in room 001 of MCA-Benin II.

read more 2020

Signing ceremony of co-financing agreements with the companies selected in OCEF First Call for Proposals.

This ceremony, which took place in room 402 of MCA-Benin II, has just recorded the granting of US$5.6 million co-financing, i.e. 3,246,653,820 FCFA by MCA-Benin II to the six (6) selected companies. The total amount of the companies' business initiatives is US$16.2 million, or approximately 9,442,344,900

read more 2020

Financial incentives to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Benin

Thus, the Beninese government has just taken in the 2020 finance law tax relief measures for the import and purchase of electrical equipment. The 2020 Finance Law stipulates that: "are now permanently exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT)

read more 2020

ABERME: Notice of expression of interest - Sustainable management of sixty-six (66) mini-grids

The Agence Béninoise d’Electrification Rurale et de Maitrise d’Energie (ABERME) is launching a Notice of Expression of Interest to select bidders who will have to develop, after their selection, a detailed proposal for a sustainable management of sixty-six (66) mini-grids.

read more 2019

Off-grid electrification: information tour with elected municipal officials

In order to promote knowledge of this new off-grid electrification policy and its implementation mechanisms, the Agence Béninoise d’Electrification Rurale et de Maitrise d’Energie (ABERME) and the Autorité de Régulation de l'Electricité (ARE) with the support of the Millennium Challenge

read more 2019

Women are at the forefront of stimulating the off-grid electricity market

Today, off-grid electrification based on solar energy is expanding rapidly, providing better access to electricity for men and women in rural and peri-urban areas. Thanks to lower costs and improved solar technologies, access to electricity is now available to low-income families.

read more 2019

Workshop on the appropriation of the regulatory framework for off-grid electrification

As part of the creation of an enabling environment for off-grid electrification, the Government of Benin adopted Decree No. 415 of 12 September 2018 regulating off-grid electrification in Benin.

read more 2019

Opportunities with the expansion of off-grid electricity

Thanks to Benin's policies, renewable energy and off-grid electrification have become an important option to close the energy access gap for populations currently not served by the grid in rural and peri-urban areas of Benin. Thus, mini-grids and solar home systems are being considered for wider use to complete the extension of the grid.

read more 2019

Mid-term results of the second call for proposals

The Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) announced on June 12, 2019 the mid-term results to the bidders of its second call for proposals launched in December 2018. For this call for over US$20 million, forty-seven (47) proposals were received.

read more 2019

Second call for proposals: Technical assistance workshop

The Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility organised a technical assistance launch workshop from 25 to 27 June 2019 with the pre-selected promoters for its second call for proposals.

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First OCEF call for proposals: Projects selection and signature of co-financing agreements

The Millennium Challenge Account Benin II through the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) carried out the final evaluation of the projects pre-selected for its co-financing. This evaluation follows the launch on February 22, 2018 of the first OCEF call for proposals for windows 1, 3 and 4.

read more 2019

Improving off-grid electrification in Benin through better regulation

The presence of adequate regulation is essential for the development of off-grid electrification, including the construction of mini-grids in Benin. The Beninese government recently adopted Decree No. 2018-415 of 12 September 2018 regulating off-grid electrification in the Republic of Benin.

read more 2019

Summary of OCEF 2nd call for proposals

The Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) closed on March 25, 2019 its second call for proposals launched on December 6, 2018. The call for proposals is of twofold interest. It aims, on one hand, to mobilize private sector investment for off-grid energy production in Benin and, on the other hand, to co-finance mini-grid solar photovoltaic and energy efficiency projects.

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Second call for proposals: Deadline extension

The Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) announces that the deadline to submit proposals for its second call for proposals has been extended to Monday, March 25, 2019 at 06:30 pm (Cotonou time).

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Webinar: Filling out the co-financing request form for the 2nd call for proposals

The Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility has organized a webinar on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 5:00 pm (GMT+1) for potential bidders to provide them with practical advice on how to complete the co-financing application form.

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Key figures of the OCEF first call for proposals

The process of the first call for proposals of the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) is moving towards its conclusion. Launched almost a year ago, the selection has delivered its raw results.

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Launch of the second call for proposals of OCEF

The Millennium Challenge Account-Benin II (MCA-Benin II), in charge of administering the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Grant Agreement, launched on Thursday, December 6, 2018 the second call for proposals of the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF).

read more 2018

Second call for proposals: information workshop in Cotonou

As part of its second call for proposals, the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) held an information workshop on Tuesday, December 04, 2018 at the Benin Marina Hotel in Cotonou for potential bidders.

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Second call for proposals: Parakou information workshop

The Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF) organised an information workshop for potential bidders on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Hôtel le Privilège in Parakou. The objective of the workshop was to present the second call for proposals for potential bidders and explain the procedure to follow to benefit from OCEF funds as well as provide clear answers to various questions.

read more 2018

Technical assistance workshop in Cotonou

The workshop was opened by Mr. Gabriel Dégbègni, National Coordinator MCA-Benin II and Mr. Joel AKOWANOU, Director of Operations MCA-Benin II.

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Mid-term results of the first call for proposals

This Monday 24 September 2018, OCEF announced the mid-term results to the applicants of the first call for proposals. Launched on 22 February 2018, OCEF received 39 proposals at the end of the deadline on 22 May 2018 for its first call for proposals.

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Large workshop in Cotonou

An information and partnership workshop on the 1st Call for Proposals was held in Cotonou on March 13th, 2018 and saw a strong mobilization of potential bidders, thus national and international organizations and companies.

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OCEF campaign in 5 major cities around Benin

During February and March, the OCEF team organised meetings around Benin, more precisely in the 5 major cities of Porto-Novo, Abomey, Lokossa, Parakou and Natitingou, to inform local companies and organizations about the first Call for Project Proposals.

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Launch of the First Call for Proposals

The first Call for Projects (CfP), which was launched on February 22, 2018, has a total budget of US $ 12 million, and concerns windows 1, 3 and 4. Potential bidders will have until May 22, 2018, deadlines to submit their proposal.

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Launch of the Partnership Platform in Cotonou 15.02.18

A large audience participated in the information workshop in Azalaï Hôtel de la Plage in Cotonou

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Communication in anticipation of the launch of the Call for Proposals on February 22, 2018

With the call for proposals being launched on February 22, 2018, OCEF will be holding the following meetings to inform interested applicants: Meeting in Cotonou on Thursday February 15, 2018 about the upcoming launch and presentation of the partnership platform. The platform makes partner search for national, regional and international

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OCEF present at the AFRICA RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM in Morocco

The AFRICA RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM has gathered some of the biggest and best known international names in renewable energy to discuss solutions for successful renewable energy projects in Africa.

read more 2018

Launch of OCEF

Benin's program for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA-Benin II) includes the Off-grid Clean Energy Facility, which was launched on Thursday, May 4, 2017 during a workshop at the Benin Royal Hotel in Cotonou. Several media were present, including the newspaper Matin Libre.