May 17, 2024 — The President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE, inaugurated 11 solar minigrids under the “UMUCO W’ITERAMBERE” (“ENERGY FOR DEVELOPMENT”) program. Supported by the Africa Minigrids Program, the pilot projects aim to enhance the resilience of rural populations by providing access to modern, efficient, sustainable, and clean energy services.
Implemented in eight communes—Busoni, Buhiga, Vugizo, Bukemba, Giharo, Cankuzo, Kigamba—in the provinces of Kirundo, Karusi, Makamba, Rutana, and Cankuzo, the initiative will provide access to basic energy services for more than 15,000 people, 900 households, seven health centers, and 12 schools.
Additionally, the program supports the development of agricultural, craft, and commercial activities. In collaboration with FAO, it has led to the establishment of a production unit for improved stoves, which has already produced 2,250 units.
Resident Representative of UNDP Burundi, Mathieu Ciowela, remarked:
“These energy infrastructures constitute a part of the materialization of the Vision Burundi emerging country in 2040 and developed country in 2060. They will also stimulate the transformation of the beneficiary areas and offer many opportunities to the populations thus contributing to the improvement of their living conditions. In the framework of the economic transformation and the emergence of new investment initiatives.”