The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$138mn loan to finance the Ruzizi III hydropower plant project
According to AfDB, the project is part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), involving Burundi, DR Congo and Rwanda. While the total project cost is a little more than US$625mn, US$138mn will be provided by AfDB’s public sector window and US$50.22mn will be provided by private sector entities.
Through the finances provided, a dam straddling the Ruzizi river and passing through DR Congo and Rwanda, will be built. In addition, a 147MW power plant and distribution station will be built.
The entire project will enable better power supply to the three countries, which have been consistently facing hardships meeting the rising demand for electricity. With more economic activity being planned in the region over the next few years, proper power infrastructure is required, said AfDB officials. The Ruzizi plant is expected to increase the region’s access to power by 300 per cent, and eventually feed into the East African Power Pool (EAPP).
