- Burundi remains one of the least electrified nations in Africa and the world, with an electricity access rate of only 25.9 per cent in 2025.
- Burundi has unveiled its national energy plan, the “COMPACT National,” which is aligned with the World Bank’s Mission 300 initiative.
Burundi remains one of the least electrified nations in Africa and the world, with an electricity access rate of only 25.9 per cent in 2025. Of this figure, only 8 per cent are connected to the main grid, with 17.9 per cent relying on decentralised solutions.
In response, Burundi has unveiled its national energy plan, the “COMPACT National,” which is aligned with the World Bank’s Mission 300 initiative. The plan aims to significantly accelerate access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy.
The immediate goal is to provide reliable electricity to 70 per cent of the population and clean cooking solutions to 40 per cent by 2030.
The strategy combines expanding the national grid with developing decentralised solar power. To achieve this, the government plans to increase installed capacity and electricity production by 3.5 times within five years, a massive undertaking for a system that currently operates at only 204.9 megawatts (MW), with 79 per cent derived from hydroelectric sources.
The “COMPACT National” estimates its total financing needs at $3.49 billion. The government has pledged to mobilise $1.95 billion and is calling on the private sector to contribute the remaining $1.54 billion. This represents a significant test of investor confidence, as independent power producers currently account for only 18.5 per cent of the country’s energy supply.
Looking further ahead, the plan is integrated into Burundi’s Vision 2040-2060, which sets an even more ambitious target of 100 per cent electricity access, with 80 per cent via the grid and 20 per cent through decentralised solar.
This future supply is intended to be 99 per cent generated from renewable sources. Meeting this challenge will be crucial for the nation of more than 12 million people, whose economy is heavily reliant on commitment from development partners.
Aligning these objectives with the World Bank’s Mission 300 provides a valuable leverage point. That initiative has reportedly connected 30 million people since its launch and aims to reach an additional 100 million soon.
Crucially, it brings together various international financial institutions, which could help mobilise a portion of the funding sought by Burundi.