11 hours ago
Burundi and Egypt celebrate inauguration of JIJI hydroelectric power plant - Foreign Affairs
In a landmark event for regional development and energy access in East Africa, the Government of Burundi officially inaugurated the JIJI Hydroelectric Power Plant, a transformative project supported by Egypt through its leading private sector, ORASCOM Construction.
Presiding over the inauguration ceremony, Burundi's President Évariste Ndayishimiye hailed the JIJI–Mulembwe hydroelectric project as a strategic milestone, underscoring its contribution to the country's National Development Plan 2040 and its vital role in expanding access to electricity. Before the project, only six percent of Burundi's population had access to energy.
Representing the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ambassador Amira Abdelrahim Ali Mostapha reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering commitment to sustainable development across Africa through public-private partnerships.
"The JIJI project, realized by ORASCOM, exemplifies Egypt's pledge to support Burundi's development agenda," she said. "It reflects our broader commitment to international, regional, and triangular cooperation."
Ambassador Abdelrahim also announced that additional Egyptian companies are preparing to enter the Burundian market, particularly in infrastructure, water, and transport sectors — a move expected to bolster local economic resilience and human development.
"I congratulate ORASCOM on their outstanding performance," she added. "As an Egyptian, I take pride in their professionalism and their reputation across Africa. Their projects consistently demonstrate environmental responsibility, social impact, and alignment with the goals of sustainable development."
The JIJI–Mulembwe hydroelectric complex, developed with €320 million in financing from the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Union, is expected to supply up to 235 GWh of electricity annually. The project is expected to benefit more than 15,000 households, 7,000 businesses, and 1,700 industrial facilities, significantly strengthening Burundi's energy security and economic output.
Edward Claessen, the EIB's Head of Energy for the region, praised the project as "a major step towards Burundi's energy self-sufficiency," noting its alignment with global goals for clean, reliable, and inclusive energy.
The JIJI–Mulembwe complex now stands as a model for South-South cooperation, demonstrating how African expertise and private-sector engagement, backed by multilateral finance, can deliver transformative infrastructure that uplifts communities and anchors sustainable growth.
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