Bujumbura, Burundi – 16 October 2026 – Yesterday, the Government of Burundi and Weza Power, an Anzana Electric Group company, signed a public-private partnership (PPP) that will mobilize US$1.4 billion to accelerate electrification in Burundi. The 25-year agreement, targeting grid expansion to more than half of Burundi, establishes Africa's first new national-scale electricity distribution concession to be operated by a private company in decades, marking a significant milestone for the country and for Africa’s energy sector.
The PPP establishes a new model for expanding reliable electricity access by bringing together government leadership, private investment and expertise, and development finance to boost electricity access from approximately 15% today to more than 50% by 2030, providing first-time or improved access for an estimated 8 million people. This is made possible by a blended finance structure that will mobilize both private commercial capital and concessional funding without increasing public debt, drawing on financing from Mission 300 partners, including World Bank’s ASCENT program, International Finance Corporation (IFC), MIGA, and African Development Bank, as well as the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Gridworks (part of British International Investment), U.S. Trade and Development Agency, NORAD, and several other development finance partners, bilateral partners, and other blended and climate finance partners.
Burundi's electricity utility, REGIDESO, will continue to supply electricity through the national transmission network and maintain responsibility for distributing power in half the country, while Weza Power will invest in, expand, and operate the distribution network in the other half, delivering 52,000 km of new and upgraded distribution lines, connecting over 1.2 million new households and businesses and creating over 2,000 direct installation and operational jobs and over 30,000 indirect jobs for Burundians. Economic growth resulting from large-scale electrification is expected to be a major contributor to GDP growth.
His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi said, "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."
Expanding access to electricity remains an important development priority for Burundi, particularly in rural communities where access has historically been limited. Addressing this challenge requires not only increased power generation, but also sustained investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure to ensure that reliable and affordable electricity reaches communities, farms, businesses, and industries across the country.
Hon. Dr. Hassan Kibeya, Minister of Mineral Resources, Energy, Industry, Trade, and Tourism said, "This partnership addresses one of Burundi's most important infrastructure priorities by expanding and strengthening our electricity distribution network. With Burundi's installed generation capacity at approximately 183 MW, our focus must now be on ensuring that existing and future generation can be delivered to more homes, businesses and productive sectors across the country. Reliable electricity will power Burundi's industries, enable local processing of critical minerals, and fuel sustainable economic growth."
The agreement also contributes to Burundi's National Energy Compact under Mission 300, the joint World Bank Group and African Development Bank initiative to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. By combining clear tariff and performance obligations with a commercially sustainable framework, the concession will help keep electricity affordable for consumers while giving investors the predictability to commit capital.
Babacar Sedikh Faye, World Bank Group Country Manager for Burundi, commented, " This partnership directly supports the World Bank Group’s strategic priorities and the objectives of Mission 300. Burundi is demonstrating how governments, development partners, and the private sector can collaborate to deliver impact at scale. Mobilizing private capital is essential to creating jobs and expanding opportunities for Burundian families and communities to improve their livelihoods.”
Anzana Electric Group has invested in Burundi since 2018 through Songa Energy, which comprises one operational hydropower plant and a second currently under construction. Working alongside government, communities and local partners over the years has given Anzana the experience and local insight that now underpins Weza Power's delivery of an initiative of national significance.
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."
Today’s signing also underscores strengthened U.S.-Burundi relations, as evidenced by recent project announcements in critical minerals, and lays the ground for the essential infrastructure that will unlock further private sector investment. The significant milestone made in Burundi demonstrates an approach to national electrification that Anzana is now advancing across Africa. In Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, among other markets the company is working alongside governments and partners to develop integrated electricity platforms built on the same commitment to commercially sustainable infrastructure and national transformation.
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About Anzana Electric Group
Anzana Electric Group is a leading developer, investor and operator of hydropower and grid distribution projects across Africa. With a presence across East, Central and Southern Africa, Anzana delivers reliable, affordable power to communities, businesses and industries. Through long-term partnerships with governments, development finance institutions and private investors, the company develops commercially sustainable electricity infrastructure that expands access and supports economic growth. Anzana is backed by private American investors and Gridworks Development Partners, an Africa-focused electricity transmission and distribution investor wholly owned by British International Investment.
Email: communications@anzana.com
About Weza Power
Weza Power is a private electricity distribution company established to accelerate universal energy access in Burundi. Created by Anzana Electric Group, Weza Power is delivering a national-scale public-private partnership backed by commercial equity and concessional financing, together with technical support from multilateral and bilateral partners. The company aims to connect approximately 8 million people across peri-urban and rural Burundi by 2030, making it one of the largest electricity distribution initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.
Email: communications@anzana.com
