Burundi signs $1.4 billion power-grid partnership with Anzana Electric
Burundi has signed a 25-year public-private partnership with Weza Power, an Anzana Electric Group company, to expand the country’s electricity distribution network. The agreement is expected to mobilize $1.4 billion, according to Anzana, and aims to give about 8 million people first-time or improved access to electricity by 2030.
The State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs called the deal the largest investment in Burundi’s history. Its post said the project could raise electrification from 12% to 70%. Anzana’s announcement gives a different projection: it says access is about 15% today and will rise to more than 50% by 2030. The company says the project will reach 8 million people, including those receiving improved service.
Under the agreement, Weza Power will invest in and operate the distribution network in roughly half the country. State-owned utility REGIDESO will continue to supply electricity through the national transmission network and distribute power in the other half, Anzana said.
The company says the project will deliver 52,000 kilometers of new or upgraded distribution lines, connect more than 1.2 million households and businesses, and create more than 2,000 direct installation and operating jobs, along with over 30,000 indirect jobs.
Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye said electricity is central to the country’s economic plans and that the partnership could support industry, jobs and investment.
"Electricity is the foundation of Burundi's economic transformation and a key pillar of our Vision 2040-2060 ambitions. This partnership will expand opportunities for our people, strengthen our industries, and create conditions for investment, jobs and lasting prosperity. It proves what can be achieved when government and private sector partners unite behind a shared national vision," said His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi.
The $1.4 billion is described as capital the partnership will mobilize, rather than a single investment from Anzana. The company says financing will combine private capital with concessional funds and support from development partners, including the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the African Development Bank and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
The project builds on earlier U.S. support for Weza Power. In 2024, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced a $3.1 million technical-assistance grant for project development and a pilot intended to connect more than 40,000 homes and businesses. The agency said at the time that the broader plan aimed to serve up to 9 million Burundians.
Burundi’s limited electricity access has constrained households and businesses, particularly in rural areas. The new partnership sets out an ambitious expansion, though its published targets differ: the State Department cites a 70% electrification rate, while Anzana’s announcement projects access of more than 50% and says 8 million people will receive first-time or improved service by 2030.
Brian Kelly, CEO of Anzana Electric Group and Weza Power, said, "Today's signing reflects years of trust, determination and a shared commitment to building a true win-win partnership, made possible by the tireless work of the many teams, including our co-developers at IFC, who brought this vision to life. This PPP will strengthen Burundi's ability to compete, attract investment, and retain more value from its own resources. Reliable electricity will give businesses the confidence to invest, enable critical industries to grow, and unlock more of the country's economic potential at home."
Comments