The vote took place on Thursday in Yamoussoukro, following the National Assembly’s approval of the bill on October 27. The agreements were concluded with the United States through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government development agency.

The grant forms part of the Regional Energy Compact, a five-year programme designed to improve the reliability of Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity supply and increase the amount of power the country can trade with other West African nations.

The programme has a total budget of $322.5 million, comprising the $300 million MCC grant and a $22.5 million contribution from the Ivorian government.

Its main components include modernizing the national electricity grid, strengthening the regional electricity market within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and building the institutional and technical capacity of energy-sector stakeholders.

Planned investments include upgrading electricity infrastructure, improving grid stability and developing energy-storage solutions, including batteries to support renewable and conventional power sources.

The programme is also intended to help Côte d’Ivoire increase electricity exchanges with neighbouring countries through the West African regional power market.

The parliamentary authorization is required because some provisions of the agreements involve tax exemptions and specific arrangements under Ivorian labour law. These provisions require legislative approval before the agreements can be fully ratified.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity infrastructure and reinforce its role in the regional energy market.