- BGFA has committed €3 million to expand a solar mini-grid in Dungu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, aiming to provide reliable electricity to over 19,000 people by 2029.
- The project will increase capacity to 1.2 MWp and support schools, healthcare facilities, households, and local businesses.
The Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa has signed an agreement to expand a solar mini-grid project in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project will provide reliable electricity to schools, healthcare facilities, businesses, and households in Dungu.
Les Soleils de la Garamba S.A.S.U will implement the project as a special purpose vehicle. It will deploy and operate a 1.2 MWp solar mini-grid in Dungu.
Paul Berthomieu said the project will unlock economic opportunities in underserved regions. He added that reliable electricity in Dungu will boost economic growth, strengthen healthcare, and support environmental conservation near Garamba National Park.
BGFA will provide €3 million to scale the project under the second phase of development. In the first phase, developers installed 240 kWp of solar capacity with co-financing from the European Development Fund. The expansion will add 1 MW, increasing the mini-grid’s reach.
The upgraded system will provide over 4,000 energy service connections by 2029, delivering electricity to more than 19,000 people.
The mini-grid will reduce reliance on traditional biomass and wood, easing pressure on forests and supporting biodiversity protection. It will also power productive energy uses, including water pumps, vaccine refrigeration, cold storage, electric vehicles, and street lighting.
BGFA currently runs 28 energy access projects across , including in Burkina Faso, Liberia, Uganda, and Zambia. Once fully implemented, the portfolio will provide electricity to over 9.6 million people.
The DRC funding is supported by the governments of Norway and Sweden.