Burundi signs $1.4 billion power agreement with US-backed Anzana Electric Group

Burundi signed a 25-year power contract valued at $1.4 billion with Anzana Electric Group, operating locally through Weza Power. The project is intended to bring electricity to more than 1.2 million homes and firms, addressing the country’s historically low access rates. Limited power, poor road infrastructure and lack of rail links have constrained large-scale mining of nickel, gold and rare-earth elements.

Earlier this year, a US-backed deal granted Lifezone Metals a period of exclusive access to evaluate the Musongati nickel deposit, a metal used in stainless steel and some EV batteries. The new power agreement aligns with Washington’s broader strategy to foster African mineral supply chains and counter China’s dominance. Recent US commitments also include assistance to Kenya for developing its own mineral processing capacity.