ACWA Power today announced the signing of key project agreements with the Government of Senegal for the Grande-Côte seawater desalination project. This monumental infrastructure initiative, powered fully by renewable energy, is set to secure up to 400,000 m³ of potable water per day for Dakar and its surrounding areas, marking a significant step towards enhancing water security in the region.

The signing ceremony, held at the Presidential Palace in Dakar, saw the formalisation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract and the Accord de Soutien de l'État or Government Support Agreement (GSA). The event was graced by His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Fay, President of Senegal; His Excellency Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation; His Excellency Cheikh Diba, Minister of Finance and Budget; His Excellency Abdourahmane Sarr, Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation; alongside representatives from SONES, Senegal’s national water asset company, and ACWA Power.

The ceremony was also attended by a high-level Saudi delegation including Saad bin Abdullah Al-Nafaie, Saudi Ambassador to Senegal; Khaled Alkhattaf, CEO of the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority, Nasser Alaqil, General Manager at MISA; Eng. Sharekh Alsharekh, Representative of the Saudi Water Authority, and Hamad Alrushaid, International Cooperation Lead at MISA.

With a total investment of approximately USD 800 million, the Grande-Côte Project represents the largest desalination initiative ever undertaken in West Africa. The project will be delivered in two phases, each providing 200,000 m³/day of desalinated water, with financial close expected to be achieved by 2026 and full commercial operations by 2031. Structured as a long-term partnership with SONES, this project is expected to significantly strengthen Senegal’s water infrastructure and resilience.

A pivotal feature of the Grande-Côte Project is its full reliance on green electricity, sourced from Senegal’s national grid through a dedicated supply agreement with state-owned electricity company SENELEC. This commitment positions the Grande-Côte Project as one of the few large-scale desalination plants globally to operate entirely on renewable energy, aligning seamlessly with Senegal’s broader climate and sustainability goals.

The signing of these agreements reflects Senegal’s continued leadership in leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate the delivery of essential services, while reinforcing ACWA Power’s role as a committed partner in sustainable infrastructure development across Africa.