Burundi signs $1.4 billion electricity deal with US firm Anzana Electric

The government of Burundi has signed a 25-year, $1.4 billion public-private partnership with Weza Power, a subsidiary of the US-based Anzana Electric Group. This agreement represents the largest investment in Burundi’s history.

The project aims to modernize and expand the national electricity grid, with plans to build or upgrade approximately 52,000 kilometers of distribution lines. The initiative intends to connect more than 1.2 million households and businesses, potentially raising the national electrification rate from 12% to 70%. The development is expected to create over 2,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs.

Beyond residential access, the investment is designed to support Burundi’s industrial and mining sectors. By providing reliable power, the partnership seeks to enable the local processing of mineral resources, including nickel, gold, tin, and rare earth elements. President Évariste Ndayishimiye noted that electricity is a key pillar for the country’s Vision 2040-2060 ambitions, while Anzana Electric Group CEO Brian Kelly stated the project would help unlock the country’s economic potential and attract further investment.