USD 6.5 Million for Econet Solar Plant First Phase Launch

Econet Wireless Burundi has launched the first phase of the Econet Wireless Burundi Solar Plant, committing USD 2.5 million of a wider USD 6.5 million investment to shift its telecommunications network to renewable power.

The initial rollout will cover roughly one third of the operator's network sites. The first sites are scheduled to become operational in February 2027, with phase-one completion expected by July 2027, and the company targeting a full network transition by December 2028.

Phase one will install 626.56 kW of solar capacity paired with 2,073.6 kWh of battery storage. Once operational, the infrastructure is expected to generate up to 1.07 GWh of renewable electricity annually, cut diesel consumption by about 300,000 litres and avoid nearly 800 tonnes of CO2 each year.

GEFI Solutions SEZ arranged the project financing and CRDB Bank provided a guarantee that helped mobilise investment. Growth Energy is handling engineering, procurement and construction in coordination with Clear Blue Technologies, and the initiative also involves SOLIO Group, Access Bank and SOCABU.

Econet Wireless Burundi CEO Nepias Njaravaza said the investment builds on the company's two-decade presence in the country's telecommunications sector and its focus on developing infrastructure and services that support connectivity. The USD 6.5 million partnership is intended to reduce reliance on diesel-powered sites and strengthen the sustainability of the operator's network operations.