Global law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright, has successfully reached financial close on the biggest solar farm in West Africa.

The Kita solar farm is 50MW project in Sikasso, Mali. The project is being constructed by the first French green Independent Power Producer, Akuo Energy, and is the first to begin construction in Africa.

Commenting on the deal Head of Banking and Finance at Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, Jackie Midlane, who led on the transaction, said, “We are proud to have played a key role in the region’s most high-profile, innovative transactions.”

The project has been in development by Akuo Energy since 2014, with Norton Rose Fulbright advising on the transaction since July 2016. The firm’s teams in Johannesburg and Paris represented the following Lenders:

• The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Limited (acting through its agent and investment manager Investec Asset Management Proprietary Limited)
• Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement
• Banque Nationale de Développement Agricole
• Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO)