In the Central African Republic, the Sakai 2 solar power plant, financed by the Emirates, is inaugurated near Bangui

The Sakai 2 solar power plant was inaugurated on Wednesday, August 12, near Bangui, where power outages remain frequent. Supported by Emirati funding, the project is expected to gradually strengthen the electricity supply to the Central African capital and its surrounding areas.

The Central African Republic officially connected the Sakaï 2 solar power plant to the national electricity grid on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The ceremony, held in Bimbo, near Bangui, took place in the presence of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and representatives from the United Arab Emirates.

Key points of the Sakai 2 project

50 MW of photovoltaic capacity announced by the developer Global South Utilities

15 MWh of battery storage to contribute to grid stability

60 MW of capacity and a $90 million investment, according to Central African authorities.

More than 300.000 households are likely to benefit from the electricity produced

A photovoltaic power plant combined with batteries

The Emirati developer Global South Utilities (GSU) presents Sakai 2 as a 50 MW photovoltaic power plant coupled with a 15 MWh battery storage system. The installation comprises more than 80.000 solar modules and 156 inverters.

The Central African authorities, for their part, are reporting a capacity of 60 MW and a $90 million Emirati investment. Concessional financing from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development contributed to the project's realization.

According to Global South Utilities, the work was completed in ten months. The company also estimates that the plant will prevent more than 50.000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

A gradual rollout around Bangui

The inauguration marks a first step in bringing the solar field online before its full integration into the national grid. Some neighborhoods in Bangui are already benefiting from its production, while others will have to wait for additional work to be completed on the electrical infrastructure.

The Central African Minister of Public Works, Pascal Bida Koyagbele, who is in charge of the project, estimates that the installation will be able to cover the electricity needs of approximately 300.000 households.

Along with other energy projects completed in recent years, Sakai 2 has reportedly helped increase the available capacity for the capital from 28 to 101 MW in less than ten years, according to figures released by the authorities.

Power outages are still frequent in the capital

Despite this increase in production capacity, Bangui and its agglomeration, which have approximately 1,5 million inhabitants, continue to regularly face load shedding and difficulties in electricity supply.

Connecting new production facilities alone is not enough to serve all residents. The full utilization of the power plant will also depend on the expansion and strengthening of the transmission and distribution networks.

The recurring power cuts are also a political issue in the Central African Republic. Opponents of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, in power since 2016, cite them in particular to criticize his record.

A strengthened partnership with the United Arab Emirates

The Sakai 2 project illustrates the growing economic ties between the Central African Republic and the United Arab Emirates. The two countries have strengthened their cooperation in recent years across several sectors, including energy and infrastructure.

Based in Abu Dhabi, Global South Utilities develops energy infrastructure in several countries in Africa, Central Asia, and South America. The Sakai power plant is one of another solar projects delivered by the company in Chad.