USAID has recently awarded a prime contract to ECODIT to determine the viability of building and operating 69 mini-grids to support energy access for 100 villages in Niger. These efforts aim to achieve 20,700 new mini-grid connections with existing telecom towers, and increase the number of people with access to power in rural areas of Niger, which is one of the least developed countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The project is part of Power Africa, the U.S. Government initiative aimed at supporting economic growth and development by increasing access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in Africa. ECODIT is a prime holder of the Power Africa Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract (IDIQ), which allows for the provision of technical assistance and engineering consulting services to implement USAID’s energy activities across the continent.

ECODIT will develop a framework for implementation to support the mini-grid investment by assessing potential energy demand, population size, and distance from the telecom tower for all 69 mini-grid sites. The feasibility study will be conducted over a period of 18 months. This initiative supports Niger’s ambitious goal of reaching universal electricity access by 2035, at a time when a mere 11.2 percent of its population now has access to electricity. To date, Power Africa has helped add more than 28,000 new off-grid connections to the country.  

“ECODIT is proud to partner with USAID to ensure Sub-Saharan Africa meets its critical energy needs, said President Joseph Karam. “ECODIT is a recognized leader in supporting energy programs worldwide, and we look forward to helping Power Africa advance its goal of bringing  electricity access to millions of people.” 

ECODIT is an American firm with 25 years of experience working with governments, businesses, and local communities to advance environmentally-and socially-responsible development around the world. The firm currently implements USAID energy projects worth more than $30 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Caribbean and Central America. ECODIT’s Consortium for the Power Africa IDIQ includes a quality group of energy experts and development partners that bring exceptional capabilities and experience in advancing sustainable development.