The Benban Solar Park is a 36 square-kilometer area composed of 32 operational energy-generating power plants that are operated by different companies near the village of Benban in Egypt. 

IFC leads a consortium of nine international banks, providing a debt package totaling $653 million—of which $225 million is financed by IFC. This capital supports the construction of 13 of the 41 solar power plants that make up the Benban Solar Park.

MIGA has 12 active guarantees for projects in the Benban Solar Park. Of these 12 projects, three are financed by the IFC-led consortium, and nine by a consortium led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

On June 24, 2022, CAO received a complaint from a school teacher from a village in Benban, Egypt. The teacher alleged that the representatives of the Benban Solar Park project had visited villages in Benban and promised to provide development plans for the villages, but no plan had been communicated, and no consultation with the community had taken place.

CAO found the complaint eligible in July 2022 and completed the assessment process in January 2023.

During the assessment process, the complainant and the Benban Solar Park representatives expressed an interest in engaging in a CAO dispute resolution process to address the issues raised in the complaint. In accordance with the CAO Policy, the case will now be handled by CAO’s Dispute Resolution function.

The assessment report is available in English and Arabic in the "Case Documents" section below.