The Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) has ramped up progress for the construction of the Bulimeni Minigrid in the Shiselweni region, the southernmost part of Eswatini, which is Pilot 2 of the programme. The initiative aims to extend reliable electricity to last-mile communities in Shiselweni, where many households remain off the grid. As part of this work, AMP has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development, design, part-financing, operation, and maintenance of the Bulimeni Solar PV plus Battery Minigrids Project under the Nkwene Constituency for a period of twenty years. Approximately 168 homes that are currently without electricity stand to benefit from the project.
AMP will provide a partial Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) subsidy of up to USD162,000 and will also support the funding of the Productive Use of Energy (PUE) investment costs to a maximum of USD54,000. The project company will contribute towards the CAPEX costs for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the minigrid facility, as well as the costs of the PUE equipment.
Speaking at a bidders’ conference for the Bulimeni Minigrid held in Manzini on 6 November 2025, AMP Project Manager Mzwandile Mdzinisa outlined the bid conditions to prospective bidders, who also participated in a plenary on the bidding process for added clarity.
Bidders were further invited to a compulsory site visit and meeting on 7 November, facilitated by the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority, to familiarise themselves with the topographical features of the project site, among other factors. This is a key component of the bidding process, as it enables bidders to understand the characteristics of the location as they prepare their submissions.
About 34 company representatives attended the site visit. They engaged with community members and were shown the land allocated for the project. This enabled bidders to collect the data needed to inform the design of the minigrid. “There was a huge response, and we are happy with the turnout from the site visit. This shows interest, and we hope that it will result in a significant number of submissions,” said Mdzinisa.
The closing date for submission of bids for the Bulimeni Minigrid is 3 December 2025.
Pilot 2 of AMP is earmarked to enhance energy access in the Bulimeni community, where most households depend on wood fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and solar home systems.
With the Bulimeni Minigrid project advancing, AMP continues to pave the way for sustainable energy solutions that empower communities and drive economic growth in Eswatini’s rural areas. As the programme moves forward, the focus remains on delivering reliable, affordable power to those who need it most.
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