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The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has signed an agreement with the Senegalese government to develop up to 200 megawatt of solar power in the country.

In a press statement released on Thursday, IFC said the agreement with Senegal allows for the development of privately owned large-scale solar projects in the country. The projects will support the government’s commitment to integrate renewable energy resources into the West African country’s energy mix.

The agreement was signed under the World Bank’s Scaling Solar initiative, which seeks to help African countries procure renewable energy quickly and affordably. Senegal is the second country after Zambia to be signed under the scheme.

The agreement with Zambia, which was signed in August 2015, has already led to major advances toward the first large-scale solar facility in the southern African country. Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has announced that 48 companies have sought to prequalify for two 50-megawatt solar projects under the Scaling Solar initiative.

“This innovative partnership with Senegal is important for creating a new market for solar power investment in the region,” said Vera Songwe, IFC’s Director for West and Central Africa. “Scaling Solar is an excellent example of how World Bank Group expertise can help governments in the region meet their most pressing needs.”

According to World Bank data, about half of the Senegalese population lacks access to electricity and energy accounts for just 2.5 percent of the country’s gross national product annually.

“Access to electricity is fundamental for Senegal’s economic development,” said Louise Cord, World Bank Director for Senegal. “Scaling Solar will help the Government of Senegal to draw on an abundant renewable energy source to deliver energy quickly and efficiently, helping to meet the objectives of the Plan Senegal Emergent.”

Scaling Solar also offers a “one-stop shop” package of advice, project documents, risk management products, finance and insurance that gives small countries the purchasing power of larger markets. It also helps attract leading private sector developers to new geographies.