Enhancing power distribution in rural Burundi

Weza Power, a new company launched by Virunga Power and the government of Burundi, is set to revolutionize large-scale power distribution in rural Burundi. The groundbreaking announcement was made at the recently concluded African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Brian Kelly, the Founder and CEO of Virunga Power, discussed the vision and mission of Weza Power in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. The creation of Weza Power marks a significant milestone in Burundi's journey towards expanding electrification across the country. With a newfound political will for electrification, the government of Burundi partnered with Virunga Power to bring power to over 1.5 million new customers. The goal is to enhance the national electrification network and provide a private sector-led solution to electricity access in a country that has been among the lowest in the world in terms of electrification. Brian Kelly emphasized the unique strengths of Burundi, including its dense population and strong political will to explore innovative ideas. The partnership aims to attract investments of up to $1.4 to $1.5 billion to provide electricity to 9 million people in Burundi. By mobilizing capital from various partners, Weza Power intends to create the necessary infrastructure for economic development and drive the country towards a brighter future. One of the key highlights of Weza Power's approach is the involvement of multiple partners and investors in the project. While traditionally, government-led initiatives have dominated utility grids, Weza Power is pioneering a new model by engaging the private sector in expanding the power networks. Collaborations with organizations like Power Africa and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet reflect a concerted effort to leverage diverse funding sources and expertise to achieve sustainable electrification in Burundi. A central focus of Weza Power's strategy is affordability and sustainability in rural electrification. By employing blended finance models that combine concessional funding, viability gap financing, and climate funding, Weza Power aims to make the project economically viable while ensuring accessibility for rural populations. The company's innovative finance model seeks to reduce dependence on government subsidies and explore new avenues for capital mobilization in the energy sector. Brian Kelly elaborated on the significance of Gridworks Development Partners as a key investor in the project, emphasizing their focus on transmission and distribution infrastructure in Africa. By partnering with Gridworks and securing long-term debt from development finance institutions, Weza Power aims to overcome the challenges in grid infrastructure and catalyze sustainable energy development in Burundi. The launch of Weza Power heralds a new era for rural electrification in Burundi, promising transformative impact on the country's socio-economic landscape. As Weza Power embarks on its ambitious journey to light up millions of homes and businesses, the partnership between Virunga Power and the government of Burundi stands as a shining example of innovation, collaboration, and progress in the African energy sector.