By Salifu Faridat
In a recent development for Burundi’s rural communities, the Electrification Financing Initiative (EDFI ElectriFI) has allocated a substantial sum of one million dollars to American company Amped Innovation.
This funding aims to bring electricity to 3,000 households in remote areas through the utilization of solar home systems.
San Mateo, California-based Amped Innovation is poised to make a transformative impact in Burundi. The financial infusion, sourced from the country window of EDFI ElectriFI for Burundi, is expected to catalyze progress.
Commenting on this endeavor, Lionel Dieu, Senior Investment Officer at EDFI ElectriFI, notes, “Burundi has long been overlooked by commercial investors due to economic challenges. Despite this, the pressing energy needs of the local populace underscore the urgency of the situation. We are thrilled to have Amped as a willing partner to bridge this energy deficit.”
The core objective of this collaborative initiative is to provide electricity to 3,000 rural households in Burundi.
Amped Innovation specializes in the distribution of solar home systems and other essential household appliances powered by photovoltaic solar energy.
Co-led by Andi Kleissner and Kurt Kuhlmann, the company intends to channel the EDFI ElectriFi funding into strategic investments within Burundi.
EDFI states that this approach will actively stimulate business growth and lay the foundation for sustainable energy expansion in the nation.
The infusion of resources from Amped will undoubtedly elevate the accessibility of electricity in Burundi, a country that has faced considerable challenges in electrification.
According to the World Bank’s 2021 report, Burundi lags significantly behind in this realm, with a meager electrification rate of merely 10%.
Remarkably, a mere 35 MW of the nation’s total installed capacity of 82 MW was operational in 2019, an alarming statistic given the population of nearly 13 million.
As Amped Innovation embarks on this transformative journey, the prospects of ameliorating Burundi’s energy landscape appear more promising than ever before.
The convergence of sustainable energy solutions and strategic investments holds the potential to bring about a brighter and more electrified future for the nation and its people.