SOLARDEV

Business sector: :Energy

Entrepreneurs :Sylvestre COULIBALY

Founding date : 2021

In portfolio since :2025

ProgrammeCATAL1.5°T

SolarDev, a Burkinabè company, facilitates SMEs’ access to solar energy through turnkey energy leasing solutions that combine reliability with long-term savings. In less than three years, it has financed 389 kWp of solar installations, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 1,036 tonnes.

The Entrepreneurs

Sylvestre Coulibaly is a trained finance professional with experience gained within major international banking institutions as well as in the investment sector in West Africa. As co-founder of SolarDev, he currently leads the company’s strategy and development, with the ambition of democratizing access to solar energy for SMEs and supporting the energy transition of Burkina Faso’s economic fabric.

Cédric Sama is a specialist in project financing and business organization. He has led several assignments for international energy and development stakeholders. At SolarDev, he oversees contract structuring, operational organization, and the robustness of the financial mechanisms supporting the deployment of solar projects.

The Partnership with Néré Capital

Through the CATAL1.5°T programme, I&P and Néré Capital are supporting SolarDev in a new phase of development aimed at accelerating the dissemination of solar solutions among local businesses. This partnership notably aims to strengthen the company’s investment capacity in order to finance new photovoltaic installations for Burkinabè SMEs.

The support also includes strategic assistance aimed at strengthening the management team, the development of a centralized digital platform for monitoring the performance of solar installations, as well as technical assistance in accounting, financial and organizational areas to structure the company’s growth.

Key Expected Impacts

The development of SolarDev directly contributes to the energy transition of the private sector in Burkina Faso. The company plans to install more than 300 kWp of additional solar capacity for the benefit of local businesses, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 5,000 tonnes over the coming years.

Beyond the environmental impact, these projects also contribute to improving the energy resilience of the local economic fabric. By reducing pressure on the national electricity grid and providing businesses with a stable and competitive energy source, SolarDev supports SME productivity while promoting the creation of technical and administrative jobs. This growth is also accompanied by strengthened organizational capacities within the company and improved operational management through digital tools for monitoring installations.