PASEREC is designed to tackle the twin challenges of water insecurity and climate‑shock vulnerability across rural Burundi. Under the expanded financing, PASEREC will deliver 17 solar‑powered water‑supply systems, plus new irrigation systems to bolster food‑production and household incomes.

Together, 14 sites will deliver a combined capacity of 640 kWp of solar energy and 1,545 kWh of battery storage, resulting in an annual reduction of approximately 548,3 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The initiative also integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology at all 14 sites, with sensors tracking power use, detecting outages.

Burundi faces serious climate and environmental challenges. The biggest is the country’s overdependence on the use of biomass (firewood). The second is outdated agricultural practices that have led to deforestation. In turn this has increased the country’s vulnerability to climate shocks.

As I’ve been following Burundi’s progress, even if some challenges need to be addressed, it’s clear that the country has taken a bold step forward with the ambitious target of providing universal electricity access by 2030. T

The equipment comprises 28 electric and solar refrigerators, 20 ice rooms, and 162 boxes used to carry vaccines. Burundi is the fourth country to get this equipment provided by the Africa CDC in partnership with the Master Card Foundation. The others are Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Congo-Brazzaville.

Residents say the most pressing issue to address these days is the unreliable power supply, which can shut down business across the country for hours on end. Some businesses have invested in generators but struggle to find fuel to power them. The supply of petroleum products has been sporadic this year, mostly blamed on foreign currency shortages.

Burundi, like many nations in sub-Saharan Africa, has long grappled with energy poverty, hindering socio-economic growth and limiting opportunities for its citizens. In a significant stride toward sustainable development, the Republic of Burundi recently wintessed the inauguration ceremony of 11 mini-grids.

Burundi, the poorest country on earth, is unable to buy fossil fuels on theinternational market due to a lack of hard currency. pv magazine spoke with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and a PV analyst to assess the true potential of PV in the nation’s current energy crisis.

The much neglected water sector of Burundi has received a funding boost which is expected to improve the lives of rural communities across the country. The project will help create 18 latest-generation water supply systems powered by sustainable energy sources, such as solar.

A new privately-owned and operated electricity company is set to bring grid power to almost 70% of the population in Burundi. Weza Power is the result of a multi-year development partnership between Virunga Power and the Government of Burundi.