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With Support from Proparco and the AfDB, Qair Installs 30 MW of Solar Capacity in Chad
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French company Qair has reached a key milestone by securing nearly €30 million in financing – €15 million from Proparco and €15 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) – for its project to develop two solar power plants with a combined capacity of 30 MWp on the outskirts of N’Djamena. The project will support Chad’s energy transition and improve access to electricity in the capital, while illustrating the win-win model of French expertise serving the needs of local communities.
Proparco and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a financing agreement for two photovoltaic solar power plants with a combined capacity of 30 MWp, developed by Qair. Located in Gassi (7th district) and Lamadji (10th district), near the Chadian capital, the facilities will be connected to N’Djamena’s 90 kV loop and will incorporate battery storage systems with a total capacity of 30 MW and 8 MWh to ensure reliable power injection into the grid.
In a country where only 11.7% of the population has access to electricity—one of the lowest rates in the world—and where power generation still relies primarily on diesel- and heavy fuel oil-fired thermal power plants, the project represents a major step forward in diversifying the energy mix, reducing generation costs and strengthening the resilience of the power system.
For Proparco, a strategic investment in a challenging local context
Chad’s energy sector faces a structural investment deficit, the absence of a national interconnected grid and significant pressure on the cash flow of the national electricity company. The N’Djamena grid accounts for nearly 90% of electricity sales, while covering only around one-third of the capital, which has a population of nearly 1.4 million.
The two power plants will be located approximately 14 km and 11 km from central N’Djamena, in a challenging operating environment. Despite these constraints, the project is part of a positive trend marked by an economic recovery (GDP growth estimated at 5.6% in 2025) and reforms underway in the energy sector with the support of international partners.
In addition to improving the quality and availability of electricity in the capital, the project will:
- Reduce dependence on imported fuels;
- Limit greenhouse gas emissions;
- Support local economic activity during the construction and operational phases;
- Strengthen national technical capacity in renewable energy.
Proparco is also building on its experience with French company Qair in West Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, where a jointly financed solar project was commissioned in 2024 despite a challenging regional context, demonstrating the resilience of the partnership.
This financing is fully aligned with Proparco’s strategy to support fragile countries and sustainable infrastructure. The project will directly contribute to:
- SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy;
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth;
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure;
- SDG 13 – Climate Action.
Through this transaction, Proparco reaffirms its commitment to an inclusive energy transition in the Sahel countries by mobilizing long-term financing to support sustainable development and economic stability.