THE CLIENT
WEZA Power, Azana Electric Group.
THE CHALLENGE
Burundi faces a critical need to stimulate rural industrialization and economic growth, yet rural businesses—particularly in agro-processing and SMEs—are hindered by unreliable electricity access, high operational costs, and limited technical and financial support. Hence, a targeted approach was required to unlock energy demand and drive inclusive, sustainable industrial development in rural regions.
THE SERVICE
The assignment was structured in three integrated workstreams. First, it delivered a comprehensive overview of Burundi’s economic context and energy sector, including infrastructure, access, and usage patterns, to establish a national baseline and identify critical gaps. Second, it developed detailed industry profiles and conducted a localized estimation of current and future electricity demand through desk research, interviews, and fieldwork, quantifying energy needs, productive use potential, and economic contribution across rural industries. Third, the project identified priority opportunities for industrial growth in an electrified rural economy and formulated targeted policy and investment recommendations, supported by case studies and stakeholder dissemination workshops.
- Opportunity mapping & strategic prioritization
- Value chain diagnostics & competitiveness analysis
- Primary data collection, database creation & market intelligence surveys
- Scenario modelling, forecasts & socio-economic impact analysis
RESULTS
The study mapped the rural productive ecosystem to identify energy demand constraints and investment opportunities, highlighting key bottlenecks related to technology, finance, and support services. It produced actionable recommendations to boost rural enterprise competitiveness, structure private investment, and expand access to sustainable energy. Key outputs included investment pipelines, sector briefs, economic opportunity maps, and quick-win actions designed to generate rapid impact while supporting Burundi’s sustainable and inclusive industrial development.
