The plants are being developed under a PPP framework by Songa Energy, a subsidiary of Anzana, which is the sole equity it Facility (RLSF), to mitigate risk and ensure a stable investment environment.
The Government of Burundi also played a pivotal role in enabling the success of the Songa Energy projects by fostering a supportive policy and regulatory environment. Through active collaboration with Anzana and its partners, the Government, including the ministries in charge of energy, finance, and environment, and Burundi’s Public-Private Partnership Unit and the Authority for Regulation of Water and Energy Sectors, facilitated project approvals and licences, ensured alignment with national electrification goals, and demonstrated strong commitment to expanding energy access.
“We are pleased to be partnering with Anzana on this landmark project, which is expected to have a substantial impact, expanding electricity access to more than 100 000 Burundian households, supporting up to 500 jobs during peak construction periods, and bringing about knowledge transfer, while aligning with the climate agenda,” said Michael Awori, Trade and Development Banking Chief Executive.
Founded in 2015 by American-Burundian Daniel Brose, Songa Energy secured rights to study four sites in central Burundi before prioritizing two sites on the Mulembwe and Ruvyironza rivers. Prefeasibility studies were completed in 2016.
Songa Energy partnered with Virunga Power (which has since rebranded to Anzana) in 2019, bringing together a team with regional presence and equity capital to complete development. Power purchase agreements and PPP agreements for periods of 25 years have been signed for both sites, while detailed studies and design were completed in 2022.
