The "solar energy" Play in West Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to understand the interactions between the actors of the "solar energy" sector in three West African states: Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Burkina Faso. We used qualitative analysis methods. The field surveys were conducted as part of several successive missions to these three states. A fourth mission was subsequently conducted at ECREEE, (ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Centre) based in Praia, Cape Verde, to consolidate the results of previous missions. The semi-directive interviews as well as the analysis of the influence matrices between five categories of actors (public authorities, companies, higher education and research, civil society and consumers) ultimately show, in the three states (Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Burkina Faso) for the "public authority" actor, positions of "dominant" actors but with relatively weak will.