Burundi - Solar Energy in Local Communities Project : Additional Financing

Overview & Synopsis

The development objective of the Solar Energy in Local Communities Project is to expand access to energy services for households, enterprises, schools, and health centers in rural areas of Burundi, and this Paper seeks approval to provide additional financing (AF) of EUR 1.5 million (US$1.73 million equivalent) through a Grant from the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammerarbeit (GIZ), alongside a restructuring of the project to extend the closing date from March 1, 2026, to March 1, 2028, and to revise the results framework. The AF aims to enhance the project's scope and sustainability by supporting a digital energy-health-education nexus through improved connectivity for remote monitoring of public-facility solar systems, expansion of digitalization initiatives in health and education, and extending digital access to surrounding communities. The AF will contribute to: (i) the WBG Climate Change Action Plan 2021–2025 and the Next Generation Africa Climate Business Plan, (ii) the World Bank Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) Strategy 2020-2025. It will also support human development and gender outcomes, including the Global Strategy for Health, Nutrition and Population and the WBG Gender Strategy (FY24-30).