In collaboration with the World Bank, the government of Niger launched on Tuesday in Niamey a major electrification program aimed at increasing the national rate of access to electricity to 30% by 2026 and 80% by 2035, against 17.5% currently, AFP learnt from the Nigerien Ministry of Energy. electricity to 30% by 2026 and 80% by 2035, against 17.5% currently, AFP learned from the Nigerien Ministry of Energy.

At a cost of 317.5 million dollars, this project called "Haské" (light in the local Hausa language) aims to "accelerate access" to electricity for urban households.lectricity for urban and rural households, health and education establishments and businesses," said Minister Ibrahim Yacoubou at the launch ceremony.

The "Haské" project also aims to ensure the expansion of solar photovoltaic energy in this huge Sahelian state of more than 22 million inhabitants.

Currently, in Niger, wood provides "nearly 80%" of the energy of households that use it for lighting and cooking, while the country, two-thirds desert, is hit by the "adverse effects of climate change," said the minister.