Jiji and Mulembwe: Channeling hydropower to drive Burundi’s sustainable energy growth

The year 2025 is set to be transformative for Burundi's energy sector. The awaited completion of the Jiji and Mulembwe hydropower plants marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable and inclusive development. Just like everyone who worked on the plants, we were filled with joy and pride when we saw the first turbine of the Jiji plant turn in early June.

With anticipation, we have watched the national electricity access rate increase from 12% to 26% over the last five years. However, this rate remains below the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 51%. The situation is more severe in rural areas, where access drops to a mere 2%, drastically limiting economic, social, and human capital development.

To tackle this challenge, all eyes have been on the completion of the Jiji and Mulembwe Hydropower Project co-funded by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank. This project is designed to directly (i) reduce the current electricity supply deficit, (ii) decrease reliance on costly and polluting thermal energy production, and (iii) increase the electricity access rate.

The Jiji and Mulembwe Hydropower Project aligns with Burundi’s strategic commitment to expand its renewable energy capacity and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. With a total capacity of 49.5 megawatts, the Jiji and Mulembwe hydropower plants will increase Burundi’s energy production capacity to 200 megawatts. They are also set to play a crucial role in Burundi’s Energy Compact under “Mission 300,” a joint World Bank-African Development Bank initiative to expand energy access to an additional 300 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

Jiji and Mulembwe’s added value
During our recent visit, we traveled for four hours from Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi, to reach the site of the Jiji and Mulembwe power plants in Matana, in Bururi Province. We were impressed by the scale of the hydropower facilities and their modernity. The site includes two run-of-the-river hydroelectric stations: Jiji, generating 32.5 megawatts (MW), and Mulembwe, with a capacity of 17 MW. These two rivers were chosen because they have relatively equal flow rates (approximately 9 m³/s each) and are located on steep mountainous terrain which facilitates the water drop required for hydropower generation.

Like other power plants, the infrastructure also includes high-voltage transmission lines strung through the green lands of Burundi, as well as five associated substations designed to efficiently evacuate the electricity produced and strengthen the national grid. This setup will significantly enhance the reliability of electricity supply and access in the region.

The powerhouse contains six turbines, and the Task Team Leader explained to us that once fully operational, Jiji and Mulembwe will generate 235 gigawatt-hours of clean, renewable energy annually—enough to supply 15,000 households, 7,000 commercial clients, and 1,700 industrial facilities.

Together, these plants are expected to increase Burundi’s electricity supply by 25%, reduce the average cost of power in the country, and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions linked to fossil-fuel-based generation. The project will therefore bring significant environmental benefits, contributing to climate change mitigation and promoting sustainable development.

Job creation through energy access

Jiji tunnel under construction. Photo: Emmanuel Karikumutima

At the site, you can clearly see that the construction of the hydropower facilities, transmission lines and substations has already generated employment for local communities, providing much-needed income and skills development. When we spoke with the technicians, they informed us that the project has so far created an average of 1,900 full-time jobs and many other indirect jobs in the communities around the construction sites.

The commissioning of the power plants will certainly give a real boost to Burundi’s economy by unlocking new job opportunities. We are expecting that, thanks to reliable and affordable electricity, businesses across the country—especially small and medium-sized enterprises often limited by power shortages—will be able to grow and thrive. This improved energy access will help them expand, hire more workers, and boost local economies. The availability of energy is also likely to attract new investment in electricity-intensive industries, creating even more jobs and driving economic growth.

A lesson in perseverance
The journey to the completion of Jiji and Mulembwe was by no means easy. The project faced many challenges leading to long delays and higher costs. Supported by the Bank’s technical team, the Government of Burundi—which acted through a special unit dedicated to the project set within the utility REGIDESO—navigated issues including the aftermath of the 2015 political crisis, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the limited capacity in contract management, changes in the project’s design due to new geological risks, a shortage of foreign currencies, and more.  

Building a hydropower plant is a complex endeavor that requires carefully studying the environmental impacts, the community’s needs, and the engineering challenges, as well as anticipating shocks. The determination to overcome obstacles and secure more resources shows the importance of planning and adaptability for success.

A Burundian elder shared with us an apt saying: “Akagumye bagumako”—meaning that you don’t quit in difficult times when the work is worth it. Indeed, the lessons learned during the implementation of this project are being used for the design and execution of new energy projects such as the Burundi ASCENT program, while REGIDESO, which is going through reforms, has gradually improved its capacity to manage transformative projects.

The completion of the Jiji and Mulembwe power plants is the first step toward providing energy to Burundians. The next crucial milestone will be the distribution of the generated energy, which will be carried out through ASCENT. Ensuring the efficient distribution of this energy is vital to maximizing the project's benefits and reaching as many communities as possible across the country.