World Bank approves $160m grants for Burundi projects

The World Bank has approved two grants for a total of $160 million from the International Development Association to help improve essential services through solar power and local development in rural and remote areas of Burundi. 

The approved package will finance the following two projects:

The $100 million Solar Energy in Local Communities project will almost double the rate of electricity access in the country by expanding access to rural families, local enterprises, schools and health centers in some of the poorest areas of the country. More than 91,000 families, 4,000 small business, 500 schools and 400 health centers will gain access to electricity through mini-grids or standalone solar systems. Another 400 schools and 300,000 households will gain access to clean and efficient cookstoves. 

The $60 million Integrated Community Development project will help improve nutrition, access to basic services and economic opportunities for the most vulnerable populations in the poorest part of the country, including refugee communities and displaced Burundians recently relocated in regions targeted by the project. In particular, the nitiative will help build and rehabilitate education and health facilities, as well as water supply and sanitation systems, rural roads and bridges.