Solar boom counters power shortages in Niger

* “There are no more power cuts here and there are no bills to pay, everything works on solar energy,” said Abdou, who lives in Niamey’s Lazaret neighborhood.

* Solar energy is booming in Niger, one of the world’s sunniest countries, with sales of increasingly cheap solar panels going up and new projects coming online.

* An unprecedented energy shortage in 2023 proved a turning point.

* Experts say that recent lithium batteries, which last longer than previous models, along with Niger’s increasingly qualified workers have contributed to the solar boom.

* Prices for top-quality solar panels have been halved to under 50,000 CFA francs (about 75 euros).

* “Even on a small budget, you can power a few light bulbs, a television and a fan,” said technician Mahamadou Issa.