EDFI ElectriFI launches Country Window in Burundi
On 6 October 2021, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines and the Ambassador of the European Union in Burundi, officially launched the EDFI ElectriFI and GET.invest dedicated programmes for Burundi, aimed at accelerating access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in the country.
By creating a specific EUR 9.3 million Country Window for Burundi, EDFI ElectriFI is committed to ensure the EU-funding serves electrification efforts in one of the African country with the lowest electrification rate. Established in close collaboration with EU delegations and with the support of national governments, Country Windows proved to be efficient tools to ensure access to clean energy for the people in greatest needs.
“With the law on the liberalisation of the energy sector, Burundi has established a legal framework favorable to private sector investments. The EDFI ElectriFI window and the technical assistance provided by GET.invest have the mission to further support these investments. I am delighted that Burundi is among the first African countries to benefit from such initiatives thanks to a dedicated national envelope. I therefore encourage private sector actors involved in the energy sector to seize this opportunity that the European Union is putting in place in collaboration with the Ministry in charge of energy, and to invest in Burundi, to help achieve the objectives of the National Development Plan 2018-2027,” said H.E. Claude Bochu, Ambassador of the European Union to Burundi.
“To accompany the Government’s efforts to implement the goal of universal access to modern, clean and affordable energy services in 2027, the European Union is introducing EDFI ElectriFI and GET. invest in Burundi to encourage private sector investment in renewable and decentralised energy and energy efficiency, with a view to contributing to improving the access of communities to a clean and sustainable energy source,” said Selemani Khamisi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines.
The launch ceremony of the EDFI ElectriFI and GET.invest programmes in Burundi was followed by a technical workshop the next day, aimed at presenting experiences implementing these programmes in other countries of sub-Saharan Africa, in particular East Africa, to the public and private sectors.
“Burundi is a complex country. The ElectriFI team is pleased to conduct this mission in Burundi, not only to contribute to the launch of the Country Window but also to gather valuable market insights,” explained Jean-Denis Collin, ElectriFI Regional Manager at EDFI Management Company.