ACWA Power Signs Framework to Scale African Energy Projects

Cooperation framework and scope
ACWA Power has signed a cooperation framework with the African Development Bank to strengthen collaboration on the development, investment, and financing of energy generation and water desalination projects across Africa. The agreement was signed during the Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco.

The framework establishes a structured approach for identifying, appraising, and financing projects, with the stated objective of accelerating up to USD 5 billion in sustainable energy and water investments over the 2025–2030 period.

Focus on power generation and water infrastructure
The cooperation targets renewable energy, grid-connected power generation, and desalination projects, with a particular emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. These sectors are critical to addressing electricity access gaps, water scarcity, and long-term infrastructure resilience in rapidly growing economies.

In addition to project financing, the framework includes provisions related to environmental and social development, reflecting the regulatory and sustainability requirements typically associated with large-scale infrastructure projects.

Alignment with regional electrification initiatives
The collaboration aligns with Mission 300, a joint initiative of the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group aimed at expanding electricity access to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. By coordinating project development expertise with development finance capabilities, the framework is intended to accelerate the transition from project identification to financial close.

Development and financing roles
Under the framework, ACWA Power contributes project development, engineering, and operational experience in power and water infrastructure, while the African Development Bank provides financing capacity, risk-mitigation instruments, and regional market insight.

The agreement is designed to support repeatable project structures, enabling faster deployment of capital across multiple countries and reducing development timelines for complex energy and water assets.

Relevance for African infrastructure development
Large-scale investment in power generation and water desalination is central to improving energy security, supporting industrial growth, and addressing water stress across the continent. By formalising cooperation between a project developer and a multilateral lender, the framework aims to improve bankability and delivery of infrastructure projects in markets where financing constraints have historically slowed deployment.

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