Burundi has signed a $1.4 billion, 25-year public-private partnership with Weza Power to expand electricity distribution and improve access for approximately 8 million people by 2030.

Signed in October 2026, the agreement aims to address the country’s low electrification rate through private investment and development finance. It provides for the construction or upgrading of 52,000 kilometres of distribution lines and more than 1.2 million new household and business connections.

Weza Power, developed by Anzana Electric Group, will operate the distribution network across roughly half the country. The state-owned utility REGIDESO will retain responsibility for the remaining distribution area and the national transmission network. Gridworks, an investor in Anzana and a subsidiary of British International Investment, is supporting the project.

Gridworks estimates that electricity access in Burundi currently stands at around 15%, with rural communities particularly underserved. Other estimates vary depending on the data sources and definitions used. The partnership aims to raise access to more than 50% by 2030.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye said the agreement would expand opportunities for citizens, strengthen industry and encourage investment, employment and long-term prosperity. Improved electricity access is expected to support agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, education and healthcare.

The project targets distribution infrastructure, which is essential for connecting consumers to available electricity. The planned network expansion is intended to bring power closer to underserved communities through new and upgraded lines and connections.

Under the agreement, Weza Power will invest in and operate distribution infrastructure within its concession area, while REGIDESO will continue managing the national transmission network and distribution elsewhere. Coordination between the two operators will be necessary to maintain reliable supply, consistent technical standards and effective network planning.

The project will use blended finance, combining commercial investment with concessional capital and development funding. Supporting institutions include the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the US International Development Finance Corporation and other development partners.

The financing structure is designed to reduce investment risks and mobilise the capital required for the project. However, the $1.4 billion represents the amount the partnership aims to mobilise over its development and implementation, not funding already fully disbursed. Investment will be deployed in stages, with progress depending on financing, procurement, technical capacity and construction across dispersed communities.

The agreement also expands Gridworks’ electricity infrastructure portfolio across Africa, which includes projects in Uganda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.

In Burundi, Gridworks has exposure to power generation through Anzana Electric Group and its subsidiary Songa Energy. Songa Energy commissioned the 1.65-megawatt Upper Ruvyironza hydropower plant in 2025, while a second facility, with a planned capacity of 9 MW at Upper Mulembwe, is under development.

Elsewhere, Gridworks’ portfolio includes the $50 million Amari project in Uganda, which reached financial close in March 2026 to upgrade four substations, and a planned investment of approximately $400 million in two transmission lines in Ethiopia.

In the DRC, the company is involved in the $340 million Moyi Power project, combining solar generation and electricity distribution in three isolated towns. In October 2026, it also signed agreements to become the lead equity investor in a 200-kilometre electricity interconnector between Zambia and the DRC.

These projects highlight the role of private investors and development finance institutions in expanding Africa’s power infrastructure. Reliable electricity access requires investment in generation, transmission and distribution, as weaknesses in any part of the system can limit the benefits of the others.

For Burundi, new connections could help businesses operate equipment, enable agricultural enterprises to process and store produce, expand digital services and improve electricity provision in clinics and schools. More dependable supply could also reduce reliance on costly alternatives such as diesel generators.

However, the project faces practical challenges, including land access, construction capacity, equipment availability and maintenance. Households and businesses must also be able to afford connection charges and electricity bills, while generation capacity must keep pace with growing demand. Without reliable supply and affordable tariffs, expanding the network may not translate into sustained electricity use or higher productivity.

Clear responsibilities between Weza Power and REGIDESO for maintenance, metering, billing and service standards will be essential. Transparent reporting on construction progress, connection costs and service performance will also help consumers and investors assess the project’s results.

The agreement aligns with Mission 300, a joint World Bank Group and African Development Bank initiative to connect 300 million people across sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030.

Ultimately, the partnership’s success will depend on delivering the planned infrastructure and ensuring that electricity is reliable and affordable. Its impact will be measured by the number of households and businesses connected and their ability to use power productively.

Source: Africa Sustainability Matters