Burundi has officially commissioned the 17-megawatt Mulembwe hydroelectric power plant, marking a significant step in the country’s drive to expand electricity generation, improve energy access and accelerate economic development.
Prime Minister Nestor Ntahontuye inaugurated the facility on 16 June, describing it as a landmark investment that will support Burundi’s industrialisation and long-term development ambitions.
The commissioning of Mulembwe follows the launch of the 32.5MW Jiji hydropower plant in June 2025, completing the Jiji-Mulembwe hydropower programme. Together, the two plants add a combined installed capacity of 49.5MW to Burundi’s electricity network and are expected to generate about 239 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.
Located in Burunga Province in southwestern Burundi, the project is expected to provide electricity to approximately 7,000 businesses, 1,700 industrial facilities and 15,000 households within the project area. The additional renewable energy is also expected to stimulate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, attract investment, create jobs and strengthen the country’s economy.
Speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister Ntahontuye thanked the government’s development partners for supporting the project and reaffirmed Burundi’s commitment to expanding sustainable energy infrastructure.
“The Jiji and Mulembwe dams represent a major milestone in Burundi’s journey toward emergence. Electricity is a key driver of our country’s industrial development, mining sector and future railway infrastructure,” he said.
The Jiji-Mulembwe project was delivered through a partnership between the Government of Burundi and several international development institutions, including the African Development Bank Group, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union (EU) and the World Bank Group.
According to Mouna Diawara, the African Development Bank Group’s Country Manager for Burundi, the completion of the project will significantly strengthen the country’s energy sector.
“The inauguration of Jiji and Mulembwe marks a transformative moment for Burundi’s energy future. This project is among the country’s most important energy investments and will help nearly double national generation capacity, expand access to affordable renewable power and lay the foundation for private-sector growth, job creation and economic diversification,” Diawara said.
Marko Primorac, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, said the project reflects Europe’s commitment to expanding access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity across Africa.
“The commissioning of the Mulembwe hydropower plant, following that of Jiji, demonstrates the tangible impact of these investments on the ground,” he said.
The European Union’s Ambassador to Burundi, Elisabetta Pietrobon, described the project as a model for the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, noting that it promotes access to clean, renewable and affordable energy while showcasing the contribution of European companies and technical expertise throughout the project’s implementation.
Meanwhile, Ndiamé Diop, the World Bank Group’s Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, said the new power plant would improve access to reliable electricity for households, businesses and public institutions, supporting job creation and economic activity.
Diop added that the project aligns with Mission 300, a regional initiative aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, which Burundi has incorporated into its National Energy Compact.
Beyond increasing electricity supply, the Jiji-Mulembwe hydropower programme has already created hundreds of local jobs during construction and is expected to continue generating employment opportunities in the country’s energy sector while encouraging greater private investment driven by the availability of clean, reliable power.
