The Solar Energy Project in Local Communities - Soleil-Nyakiriza

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The Solar Energy Project in Local Communities – known as Soleil-Nyakiriza – is an initiative of the Government of Burundi, launched in 2020 and supported by the World Bank Group. This project aims to improve the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of people who do not have access to reliable energy, particularly health centers, schools, and vulnerable households. Its main objective is to expand access to electricity in rural areas of Burundi, relying on decentralized solar solutions and clean, efficient cooking, with the active participation of the private sector.

It also seeks to accelerate the implementation of the electrification strategy adopted by the Government of Burundi, which aims to achieve a coverage rate of 40% through off-grid electrification by 2030.

The project includes three main components: (1) Solar electrification of schools and health centers, (2) Individual solar systems for vulnerable households, and (3) Capacity building and technical assistance.