Bujumbura, Burundi, — The largest electricity substation in Burundi, located in Rubirizi, is set to significantly enhance the country’s electricity access. The 160-megavolt facility, co-financed by the African Development Bank Group and the European Union, is expected to increase the electricity-connected population by 7% upon its completion in December 2024.
A high-level delegation from the Burundian government and the African Development Bank visited the Rubirizi substation site on 9 August 2024. The visit was part of a broader tour of key electrification projects funded or co-funded by the Bank in Rubirizi and Kabezi, within Bujumbura Rural Province. Among the delegation were Audace Niyonzima, Burundi’s Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Ibrahim Uwizeye, Minister of Water, Energy and Mines, and Lieutenant Colonel Jean Albert Manigomba, Director General of the national water and electricity company. They were accompanied by Pascal Yembiline, the Bank’s Country Manager for Burundi, along with other key stakeholders involved in the projects.
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The Rubirizi substation is a central component of the Kamanyola-Bujumbura Interconnection Project, for which the Bank and the European Union have jointly allocated $37 million. This substation will serve as a key injection point for energy generated by the Ruzizi III regional hydroelectric power station, another project supported by the Bank. The new infrastructure will enhance the reliability and stability of the electricity network in Bujumbura, the economic hub of Burundi, and will connect to existing power lines until the Ruzizi III station is fully operational.
The delegation also visited Kabezi to review the progress of phase 1 of the Access to Energy Project. This initiative, funded by the Bank and the Burundian government at a total cost of $26 million, aims to electrify 36 locations across 11 provinces in Burundi. When completed, the project will connect 25,000 households to the national grid, with the first new connections expected in the first quarter of 2025.
During the visit, officials praised the strong partnership between Burundi and the African Development Bank in developing vital infrastructure. However, they also acknowledged the challenges that remain, such as implementation delays and the need to expedite fair compensation for affected individuals.
The African Development Bank has been a critical partner in Burundi’s efforts to expand its electrical infrastructure. As of 31 July 2024, the Bank’s commitment to the energy sector in Burundi totaled $147 million, funding five major projects. These include two national projects—the hydroelectric power stations at Jiji and Mulembwe, and Phase 1 of the Access to Energy Project—and three regional projects, including the Kamanyola-Bujumbura Interconnection Project, the Kigoma-Gitega Interconnection Project, and the Ruzizi III Regional Hydroelectric Power Station Project.
The completion of these projects is expected to have a transformative impact on Burundi’s energy landscape, ensuring more reliable and widespread access to electricity across the nation.
