In the village of Batonou, along the Mono River that separates Togo from Benin, a quiet energy revolution is transforming the lives of thousands. Thanks to the Togolese government’s strong commitment to inclusive development, health centers like the one in Batonou now have electricity through solar panels, ensuring safe and uninterrupted medical care for historically underserved communities.
This progress stems from the Support Project for the Social Component of the CIZO Rural Electrification Program (PRAVOST), led by the government of Togo in collaboration with the African Development Bank and the European Union. The initiative has already electrified over 300 health centers across the country, proving that political will combined with sustainable solutions can bridge long-standing gaps. In Batonou, constant power supply has eliminated risks for healthcare workers like Victorine Ablavi, who recalls assisting births using a flashlight hung around her neck.
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The Togolese government’s strategy is clear: turn the sun, one of the country’s most abundant resources, into a driver of progress. Under the coordination of the Togolese Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Agency (AT2ER), solar panels, medical refrigerators, and solar-powered water heaters have been installed in dozens of rural facilities. “Solar energy is an integral part of our national development policy,” says Amy Nabilou, the project’s chief engineer, highlighting Togo’s commitment to clean and accessible technologies.
Beyond the health sector, the program is also benefiting agriculture. Farmers like Dieudonné Samati Mawuèma in Bas-Mono now irrigate their fields with solar-powered pumps, increasing production by 50% and lowering operational costs. Thanks to this energy infrastructure, farmers are more resilient to climate change and can supply local markets year-round.
Through initiatives such as PRAVOST and the national CIZO program —which aims to provide solar kits to 2 million citizens— the Togolese government is showing how focused leadership and smart management of natural capital can drive sustainable development. This national model aligns with continental electrification goals, including the “Mission 300” launched by the African Development Bank and the World Bank, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
With vision and determination, Togo is putting its resources to work for its people. On a continent where 600 million still lack access to electricity, the Togolese example sends a clear message: Africa can light up its future with its own resources —if there is political will and a strategy centered on community wellbeing.
