The promoters and financiers of the Singrobo dam, built by French construction giant Eiffage, had promised that the project would not harm the environment. However, the project will destroy 618 hectares of forest and harm endangered species, including African crocodiles.
The fourth article of our GreenFakes series takes us back to October 1, when residents of Singboro, a village in Côte d’Ivoire 140 km northwest of Abdijan, succeeded in temporarily blocking access to the construction site of the hydroelectric dam of the same name, built by French construction giant BTP Eiffage. For years, villagers have been demanding better compensation for the dam’s negative consequences, which will flood farmland and lead to forced displacement for part of the population.
With its 1,400-metre concrete wall, the Singboro dam, due to come into service this year, will not only affect the villagers, but will also destroy hundreds of hectares of forest and harm several protected species, even though the project’s promoters had promised that there would be no negative impact on the environment. All this is happening against a backdrop of pressure exerted on the French consultancy Biotope, which validated the project’s environmental conformity.
Eiffage presents itself as having been committed to the fight against the erosion of biodiversity for over ten years, to the point of having made the preservation of living organisms an “operational imperative. This “imperative” appears to have been set aside in Côte d’Ivoire by the French group.
The story begins in 2013, when the Ivorian government signed a concession agreement for the construction and operation of a dam with Ivoire Hydro Energy (IHE), a new company set up by Alain Etty, the former deputy director of Compagnie Ivoirienne d’Electricité – CIE, the national electricity company. Work entrusted by IHE to Eiffage, began in October 2019. The French group specified that it is responsible for the construction site of the hydraulic scheme, not the entire dam.
This 170 million euro project was co-financed by loans from international lenders – the African Development Bank, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, and the German government’s investment agency (DEG).
These prestigious financial institutions have set one condition: compliance with the environmental and social performance standards laid down by the International Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of the World Bank. One of these, PS6, stipulates that the dam must cause no “net loss” of plant and animal biodiversity, and even a “net gain” of “critical habitats” that are home to endangered species.
To convince lessors to get out their chequebooks, in 2017 the project promoters commissioned the French firm Biotope to produce a “biodiversity action plan”, supposedly guaranteeing compliance with the PS6 standard. Except that this document actually says the opposite.
The Biotope report states that the project’s negative impact is considerable: the dam’s artificial lake will flood, and therefore destroy 1,165 hectares of natural habitats, both terrestrial and aquatic, including 618 hectares of well-preserved forest areas, which constitute critical habitats for seven rare and threatened species, including frogs, birds and fish. In particular, the project will submerge forest islands just upstream of the dam, one of the last refuges on the Bandama River for the endangered African false gharial crocodile.
To comply with the PS6 standard, IHE must repair the damage through “an ambitious ecological compensation strategy”, the Biotope report continues.
However, the measures set out in the report are not sufficient to achieve this objective. Of the 618 hectares of forest destroyed, Biotope recommends replanting only half (384 hectares). The French consultancy adds that this already modest target will be extremely difficult to achieve, as trees would have to be planted in fields farmed by villagers to survive.
“Surveys show that local populations are not yet ready for this change, largely due to the fear of a direct loss of income and food resources […]. […] The risk of conflict with local populations is too high, and would be detrimental to the dam project as a whole”, the report says.
Worse still, Biotope points out that IHE, the company responsible for the dam, has made “no definitive commitment at this stage” to reforestation. On its website, IHE claims to have finally committed to 300 hectares by 2020. The company refused to tell us how much has been reforested to date.
To compensate for the other half of the forests destroyed, Biotope is proposing to protect other forest islands downstream of the dam. This method, known as “compensation by avoided losses”, is highly controversial. For it to be effective, it must be demonstrated that the area would have been deforested in the future if no protection measures had been taken.
However, the islands in question do not appear to be under any real threat. Our analysis of satellite images shows that the forest area has remained stable over the last ten years. The report also acknowledges that these islands are already partly protected by a citizens’ initiative: the inhabitants of four neighboring villages, led by a retired gendarme committed to the environment, take it in turns to “carry out surveillance” and prevent “any infiltration and settlement of populations.” To put it plainly, even the best preservation of such a low-risk area cannot compensate for the destruction of 300 hectares of forest.
Certain measures designed to protect aquatic species are even more surprising. The reservoir will destroy one-sixth of the total habitat of the mormyrus subundulatus, a fish that exists only in Côte d’Ivoire, and which needs currents to survive. To compensate for this impact, Biotope is proposing to finance a university thesis to “improve knowledge” of the life of this fish in the Bandama River.
In short, the measures included in the Biodiversity Action Plan, finalized by Biotope on September 30, 2019, do not meet the PS6 standard that requires the avoidance of any “net loss” of biodiversity, despite this being the stated objective.
An internal Biotope document produced in December 2019 suggests that this lack of ambition was a client request. Curiously, the biodiversity action plan was not commissioned by IHE, the dam concession holder, but by one of its shareholders, the Moroccan investment fund Neo Themis.
Biotope reports a negative experience with this “difficult” client: there was a relational problem with Pierre Biedermann, Neo Themis’ environmental advisor, who put pressure on the firm.
The internal document adds that, for the first time in its history, “Biotope [was] present to defend the project in front of the bank”. In other words, Neo Themis seems to have insisted that the French firm help convince one of the banks of the project’s environmental compliance. When contacted, Biotope and Neo Themis did not respond.
This case also demonstrates the hypocrisy of international financial institutions. After demanding that the site comply with the PS6 environmental standard, they nonetheless granted the loans, despite the weakness of the compensation measures described in the Biotope report.
When questioned, the African Development Bank did not respond. The German government’s investment agency (DEG) and the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) did not respond to our specific questions but claim that they have carried out “a thorough environmental and social assessment” and that this project includes a ‘robust biodiversity program’.
Eiffage is not legally responsible for non-compliance with the PS6 standard since it is only a subcontractor of Ivoire Hydro Energy (IHE). However, the French group does appear to have violated its commitments, as it promises in its internal policy in favor of biodiversity to “rigorously apply the ‘avoid, reduce and then compensate’ approach in all projects.” When contacted, Eiffage did not respond on this point but indicated that “the biodiversity action plan” drawn up by IHE “has been implemented.”
IHE points out that the dam will add 44 MW of clean electricity generation capacity to Côte d’Ivoire, and that this will avoid ‘more than 109,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year’. However, the company refused to answer our questions about the destruction of biodiversity. “The design and implementation of all management and mitigation plans have been guaranteed and verified by internationally recognized independent consulting firms, thus meeting the requirements of the national regulator and the parties to the project financing,” IHE said when contacted for comment. Read their full response at the end of this article).
However, IHE’s financial commitment to reduce and compensate for environmental impact is very low: 2.4 million euros over 35 years, only 1.3% of the dam’s cost.
Despite their comparatively low cost, some of these measures do not appear to have been fully implemented. “At meetings on the subject, IHE said it didn’t have the money for that,” says a witness who requested anonymity. “It’s disappointing and inexplicable because these are very small sums of money, and they’re supposed to be built into contracts with donors as part of compliance with the PS6 standard on no net loss of biodiversity.”
In particular, IHE was to spend 100,000 euros over ten years to help conserve the endangered African false gharial crocodile. The company was to capture the crocodiles upstream of the dam and transfer them to the Abidjan National Zoo, which it did at the start of the project. The company was also to finance new infrastructure to enable the zoo to raise baby crocodiles and support the reintroduction of captured adults and young individuals into the wild in an appropriate area not impacted by the dam.
However, according to our information, breeding facilities were never built, except for an 18-square-meter tank for baby crocodiles. In addition, the dozen or so false gharials captured have disappeared from the zoo. And no crocodile has yet been reintroduced into the wild. When contacted, Abdijan Zoo refused to respond. IHE replied that an independent consulting firm conducts “regular assessments” of the implementation of its environmental commitments.
Black Box
The GreenFakes investigative series was produced by Mediapart, in partnership with the Mongabay and Africa Uncensored media. It used documents from the French biodiversity consultancy Biotope obtained by Climate Whistleblowers, an NGO specializing in protecting whistleblowers in the climate and environmental fields.
When contacted by Mediapart, Biotope, Neo Themis, and the African Development Bank (ADB) did not respond. The Abidjan National Zoo, which declined to reply, said it would put us in touch with its supervisory body, the Ministry of Water and Forests, but did not do so in the end.
Ivoire Hydro Energy, Eiffage, the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), and DEG, the German government’s investment agency, replied by e-mail. Their full replies are available in the appendices to this article.
Eiffage replied as follows:
To be precise, Ivoire Hydro Energy (IHE) has awarded Eiffage a contract covering only the hydroelectric development of the above-mentioned dam. In this context, the scope of Eiffage’s intervention includes only the construction site of the hydroelectric scheme, not the entire dam.
The biodiversity action plan drawn up by the customer as part of the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) is implemented by IHE prior to any intervention. We invite you to contact Ivoire Hydro Energy to find out more about the environmental measures carried out on-site.
Ivoire Hydro Energy (IHE) sent us the following reply:
The Singrobo-Ahouaty hydroelectric project in Côte d’Ivoire is a key project in Africa’s energy transition that will enhance the security of supply for the Ivorian people. The project will add 44 MW of clean electricity generation capacity to the grid, power more than 100,000 homes, and avoid more than 109,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year over its lifetime. It will leave a lasting economic legacy through job creation, social and environmental interventions, and a wider indirect contribution to regional growth and prosperity.
To date, the project has created more than 500 jobs and completed major electrification and water infrastructure projects in the surrounding communities, while establishing an innovative biodiversity program for Côte d’Ivoire.
To secure the necessary rights for this project, IHE worked closely with stakeholders, including national and local government and the local communities concerned. Compliance obligations encompass national environmental and social regulations, as well as the requirements of the project’s financing parties, including the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) performance standards for environmental and social sustainability.
Following detailed environmental and social impact assessments, IHE implemented a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) as part of a mitigation program in line with international industry standards. Every stage of the risk assessment process, as well as the design and implementation of all management and mitigation plans, has been guaranteed and verified by internationally recognized independent consultancy firms, thus meeting the requirements of the national regulator and the project’s funding parties.
To obtain the necessary authorization and financing for the construction of the project, IHE has obtained a Certificate of Compliance from the national regulator, as well as the necessary loan approval from the lenders, based on the above-mentioned studies and guarantees. Ongoing compliance is verified by:
- i) regulatory inspections at the national level and;
- ii) an independent technical, environmental, and social consultancy that carries out regular assessments of the implementation of IHE’s environmental and social management system, including RAP and BAP, against lenders’ requirements.
From the outset of the project, IHE has been and remains committed to best practices in environmental and social management, supported by rigorous technical studies, robust safeguards, and in-depth dialogue with its stakeholders and the communities concerned.
Deutsche Investitions und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), the German government’s investment agency, sent us the following reply:
We’d like to start by providing you with some general information. DEG’s development policy is to finance and advise private companies investing in developing countries to boost employment and incomes. To this end, DEG provides these companies with long-term financing on risk-based terms from its funds. Investments in developing countries are often made possible under difficult conditions.
Our work aims to effectively contribute to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These contributions are measured regularly, attesting to the evolution and achievements of DEG’s activities: according to a 2023 portfolio analysis, in 2023 alone, companies co-financed by DEG employed around 3.3 million people and generated local income of 235 billion euros in partner countries.
DEG is also specifically committed to resource-efficient business practices and the use of renewable energies in its partner countries. The risks and consequences of climate change have a particularly marked impact in less developed countries. DEG’s renewable energy portfolio is worth around €1 billion. Co-financed renewable energy projects have produced 31.5 TWh of green electricity for more than 32 million people in 2023, avoiding more than 22 million tons of CO2 emissions.
Before committing funds, DEG carries out a thorough environmental and social audit. We adhere to the current performance standards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which set the benchmark for the environmental and social aspects of private sector investments. In some cases, DEG financing is excluded outright, for example, for companies that allow forced or child labor or the destruction of areas of high conservation value. A published exclusion list summarizes these cases. During the investment period, DEG regularly reviews and supports the implementation of environmental and social measures and action plans agreed with companies. This is carried out by a team of environmental and social experts within DEG, supported by external specialists. This approach also applies to the investment in question. In collaboration with the African Development Bank, as lead arranger, and other lenders, DEG granted IHE a long-term loan in 2020 for the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Côte d’Ivoire.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide around 217 GWh of affordable, low-carbon energy per year. As Côte d’Ivoire’s energy mix currently consists of around 65% thermal generation, the project will significantly contribute to the country’s energy transition. By contributing to the financing of this project, DEG is helping to reduce energy supply shortages and increase access to energy for businesses and local populations.
The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) sent us the following response:
The Singrobo-Ahouaty hydroelectric project in Côte d’Ivoire is an important economic asset for the country, designed to advance national electrification goals.
The Singrobo-Ahouaty project will add 44 MW of clean electricity generation capacity to the grid, powering more than 100,000 households and avoiding more than 109,000 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. The project has created over 500 jobs and enabled electrification and water infrastructure projects in neighboring communities.
Our investments are designed to prioritize safeguarding and restoring natural resources. The project also includes a robust biodiversity program for Côte d’Ivoire that enhances climate and nature protection measures.
More than 154 million people across Africa already benefit from EAAIF-financed projects. As one of Africa’s most experienced lenders, EAAIF provides transformative African infrastructure in areas where examples of successful investment are limited.
EAAIF is committed to making tangible contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable development, climate, and nature are integrated into all our financing and infrastructure development activities. The projects in which EAAIF is involved align with our mission to unlock significant, measurable, and sustainable socio-economic impact while prioritizing health, safety, gender, diversity, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. EAAIF upholds the highest standards of ethics and business integrity in every project we engage in.
Working systematically to ensure compliance with all national environmental and social regulations and to meet the reporting requirements of all project finance stakeholders (including the IFC Performance Standards for Environmental and Social Sustainability) in partnership with local communities and the public and private sectors of our host communities, is essential to the success of our projects.
Since EAAIF’s inception in 2001, the Fund and its partners have completed over 125 projects, committed over $2.73 billion in more than 25 African and Asian countries and 10 infrastructure sectors, and mobilized private sector investment commitments of over $16 billion.
With regard to the list of shared questions, the Fund requests that you address your queries to IHE.
“GreenFakes” is a series of investigations conducted by Mediapart, published in partnership with Mongabay and Africa Uncensored. They are based on internal documents from Biotope, leading French ecological auditing firm, obtained by Climate Whistleblowers, an organization specializing in the protection of climate and environmental whistleblowers.
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