Weza Power to accelerate Burundi electrification

Weza Power has secured additional funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to advance its Burundi electrification plans

The company is the first national-level electricity distribution firm of its kind operating across Burundi.

Privately owned and operated by Nairobi-based Anzana Electricity, with support from British International Investment and Gridworks, it also represents the first privately operated national electricity distribution company in sub-Saharan Africa in over a decade.

Weza Power hopes to connect nine million people across Burundi, with plans to step up its efforts after landing a further US$600,000 grant from the AfDB.

“Weza Power represents a bold new model for accelerating access to electricity for all Burundians,” said Burundi’s Minister of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines, Ibrahim Uwizeye.

“We are proud to partner with the private sector to bring innovative solutions to our energy challenges and expand electricity access to millions of our citizens.”

Weza Power has also received support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank.

“Our goal is to unlock the opportunity that power enables for every Burundian. This support… will help accelerate project development and deliver on Burundi’s energy ambitions,” said Brian Kelly, CEO of Anzana Electric Group.

“This grant represents another major step forward for our team and the many communities across Burundi who will benefit from reliable, affordable power.”

The AfDB is also keen to explore similar working models across sub-Saharan Africa, to enable private sector participation in developing and financing transmission lines and grid expansion projects, with the goal of increasing renewable energy integration.

“This support to Weza Power aligns with our commitment to scale innovative business models that can help us reach universal access,” said Daniel Schroth, AfDB’s director of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The announcement comes as Burundi unveiled its National Energy Compact at a M300 (Mission 300) private sector consultation, hosted by the World Bank and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

This outlines key reforms and investment priorities to reach universal energy access and serves as a cornerstone of the Mission 300 initiative — a joint effort by the World Bank and the AfDB to connect 300 million people in Africa by 2030.

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