In April 2024, a major step toward improving electricity access in Burundi was achieved through a partnership between the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Virunga Power and the government of Burundi. This collaboration established Weza Power, a new private-sector utility tasked with developing, financing and operating electricity distribution networks in underserved rural and peri-urban areas.
Expanding electricity access in Burundi: A new public‑private partnership approach
Abstract
Burundi faces one of the lowest electricity access rates in the world, with only around 12% of the population connected to the national grid. The country’s energy infrastructure is outdated, underfunded, and insufficient to meet growing residential and industrial demands. Addressing energy poverty is critical for Burundi’s economic development, job creation and social inclusion but requires large-scale investments, new models for service delivery, and strengthened public-private partnerships.
In April 2024, a major step toward improving electricity access in Burundi was achieved through a partnership between the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Virunga Power and the government of Burundi. This collaboration established Weza Power, a new private-sector utility tasked with developing, financing and operating electricity distribution networks in underserved rural and peri-urban areas. IFC is providing early-stage development funding and technical assistance to support Weza Power’s rollout, aiming to leverage private investment alongside public sector leadership to expand energy access sustainably.
Beyond the Weza Power initiative, broader investments in Burundi’s national electricity infrastructure are also underway. The African Development Bank Group co-financed the construction of the country’s largest electricity substation, which is expected to boost national electricity access by 7%. It also supports a vast programme of electricity connections with regional generating stations and an extension of the network in rural areas. Furthermore, Burundi has secured a USD 1.4 billion package financed by the African Development Bank Group and the European Union to expand its power grid starting in 2025, focusing on both increasing national generation capacity and extending the distribution network to underserved regions.
The establishment of Weza Power marks a key innovation in Burundi’s energy sector, introducing a new model for rural electrification through a private-sector utility underpinned by blended finance. Combined with major infrastructure upgrades supported by the African Development Bank and other partners, these efforts are expected to substantially increase national electricity access, driving economic opportunities, improving quality of life, and supporting Burundi’s sustainable development objectives.
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