The Government of Burundi and Weza Power, a subsidiary of Anzana Electric Group, have signed a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement to mobilize US$1.4 billion for expanding the country’s electricity distribution network over the next 25 years. The initiative aims to significantly improve electricity access, strengthen infrastructure, and support economic development across the African nation.
The agreement marks a major development for Africa’s energy sector, representing the continent’s first new national-scale electricity distribution concession operated by a private company in decades. Through the partnership, Burundi plans to increase its electricity access rate from approximately 15% currently to more than 50% by 2030. The programme is expected to provide first-time or improved electricity connections to an estimated 8 million people.
The project will use a blended finance model combining private commercial investment with concessional funding from development finance institutions and international partners. The structure is designed to attract long-term investment without adding to Burundi’s public debt. Key supporting institutions include the World Bank’s ASCENT programme, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the African Development Bank, the US International Development Finance Corporation, Gridworks, the US Trade and Development Agency and Norway’s NORAD, alongside other development and climate finance organisations.
Under the agreement, Burundi’s national electricity utility, REGIDESO, will continue managing distribution services across half of the country and supplying electricity through the national transmission grid. Weza Power will finance, construct and operate the distribution network across the remaining half. The division of responsibilities is intended to accelerate network expansion while bringing additional investment and operational expertise into the electricity sector.
The development programme includes constructing and upgrading approximately 52,000 kilometres of electricity distribution lines. It also aims to connect more than 1.2 million new homes and businesses, extending reliable electricity access to communities and supporting commercial activities. The initiative is expected to create over 2,000 direct jobs in installation and operations, along with more than 30,000 indirect employment opportunities.
Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, said electricity is fundamental to the country’s economic transformation and supports its long-term development objectives under Vision 2040–2060. The government sees improved electricity access as an important requirement for expanding businesses, strengthening public services and improving living standards.
Minister of Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade and Tourism Dr. Hassan Kibeya highlighted the importance of distribution infrastructure in delivering electricity to productive sectors. With Burundi’s installed power generation capacity at approximately 183 MW, the government aims to ensure that available electricity can reach industries, support local mineral processing and encourage broader economic expansion.
The partnership also supports Mission 300, a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank that seeks to connect 300 million people across Africa to electricity by 2030. World Bank Group Country Manager Babacar Sedikh Faye said mobilising private capital would help create jobs and improve livelihoods for Burundian families.
Anzana Electric Group has operated in Burundi since 2018 through its investment in Songa Energy, which operates one hydropower plant and is developing another. Brian Kelly, CEO of Anzana Electric Group and Weza Power, said the partnership would strengthen the country’s competitiveness and unlock its economic potential.
The agreement also reflects growing cooperation between the United States and Burundi following recent initiatives involving critical minerals. Anzana plans to extend its commercially sustainable electrification model to other African markets, including Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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