DFC Announces $3.1 Million Grant for Weza Power to Expand Electricity Access and Diversify Energy Sources in Burundi

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation today announced a $3.1 million technical assistance grant to support Weza Power to accelerate its work expanding grid access across Burundi. This will be accomplished via an innovative public-private partnership model between the Government of Burundi and Weza Power's parent company, Anzana Electric Group.

DFC's technical assistance will support the launch of a pilot project aimed at connecting more than 40,000 new homes and businesses to the grid starting in 2025. This project includes final development activities related to Weza Power's planned investment to expand and operate the national distribution network to serve up to 9 million Burundians in the next seven years. This effort is also supported by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

"DFC is proud to be a part of the U.S. Government's efforts to advance energy security. DFC investments in energy provide people and businesses with reliable and secure sources of electricity to drive development, and promote economic growth and job creation," said Erica Ehst, DFC Vice President of Energy Erica Ehst.

"We are thrilled to have the support of DFC to fund critical development activities which will enable the envisioned rapid electrification through our PPP with the Government of Burundi. Universal access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy is possible in Burundi with innovating funding partnerships and blended finance, and DFC's early involvement will play an important catalytic role," said Brian Kelly, Founder and CEO of Anzana Electric Group.

Only about 12 percent of the Burundi population has reliable access to electricity and that share falls to less than 2 percent for the country's rural population. Grant funding for the Weza Power energy access project will support bringing the electrification rate in the nation from 12 percent to over 70 percent by 2030.

Africa is a priority for DFC with over $11 billion in exposure across the continent. Our work spans all of the critical sectors that African governments and people have helped us identify as priorities including expanded access to electricity.

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The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and small business and financial services. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.