en.Wedoany.com Reported - Burundi has officially inaugurated the Mulembwe hydropower plant, a project that took nearly 12 years to complete, adding 17 megawatts to the country's installed power generation capacity.

At the inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nestor Ntahontuye was joined by senior representatives from the World Bank, including Ndiamé Diop, Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, and Albert Zeufack, Country Director.

The project, which follows the commissioning of the Jiji hydropower plant a year ago, is seen as a significant step for Burundi in strengthening its energy sector.

The Mulembwe project was implemented by Burundi's national water and electricity company REGIDESO, the Government of Burundi (through the Ministry of Water, Energy and Mining, MIRMEICT), in partnership with multiple international financiers, including the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the European Union.

According to project officials, the construction phase employed an average of about 1,000 workers, approximately 80% of whom were recruited locally. The project also included skills development and training programs aimed at building local expertise.

Juliette Besnard, Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank, stated that this inauguration marks the culmination of years of collaboration between government agencies, development partners, and the project team.

Officials noted that while the completion of the infrastructure is a major milestone, ensuring the reliable operation and maintenance of the plant is crucial to securing long-term benefits for Burundi and expanding the country's electricity supply.

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