The Mauritania deal reflects a broader strategy by French DFIs and partner financial institutions to deploy structured financing for renewables, storage and energy-access initiatives across the continent. In September 2025, AFD signed a cooperation agreement with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to accelerate geothermal development, leveraging Kenya’s deep-geothermal expertise alongside French technology in direct-use geothermal applications. In parallel, AFD has committed €1 billion to expand electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 under its Mission 300 initiative, cementing France’s position as a key partner in Africa’s energy transformation.

Taken together, these agreements highlight several key dynamics in Africa’s energy investment landscape. First, renewables financing is moving beyond pilot or small-scale projects toward integrated, storage-enabled solutions in emerging markets. Access and transition objectives are increasingly aligned: new projects are designed to expand electricity availability while supporting clean generation. Crucially, these deals illustrate how structured bilateral and multilateral finance is mobilizing not only capital but also technology, expertise and capacity to accelerate African energy growth.

The Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026 Forum, taking place in Paris on April 22-23, 2026, will provide a platform to explore these emerging frameworks. Sessions will examine how structured finance can be scaled, how private investment can complement concessional funding, and how storage, digitalization and grid integration can be incorporated into renewable pipelines. France’s recent deals with Mauritania and Kenya provide tangible examples of how host countries can pair finance with technology transfer and regional cooperation, offering lessons for investors, policymakers and developers.

For Africa’s energy sector, it is no longer sufficient to “build more solar.” The focus is now on how projects are implemented, who they engage and how integrated solutions – combining storage, digital infrastructure and strategic financing – can accelerate deployment. With the Mauritania deal finalized, France’s broader engagement visible and IAE 2026 approaching, the continent is entering a new chapter in its energy transformation, one defined by innovation, collaboration and strategic investment.

IAE 2026 is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.invest-africa-energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com