Infraco Africa plans to invest USD 1.5 million to promote the use of clean energy and agro-industry in the DRC and Rwanda

Infraco Africa, the African development arm of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), in partnership with Equatorial Power, announces an investment of around USD 1.5 million to promote the use of clean energy and agro-industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

This project aims to develop four new mini-grids and four agricultural transformation centers (APH) on the island of Idjwi in the DRC, followed by four other solar mini-grids and three APH in the south-east of Rwanda.

This project will provide small businesses with access to electricity creating jobs directly and through the local supply chain, supporting SDG 8.

To ensure the success of the project, InfraCo Africa will leverage the $1.35 million capital grant from its sister company PIDG Technical Assistance (PIDG TA) and the $1.051 million grant issued by the World Bank.

With a power ranging from 60 KW to 85 KW, the new mini-grids will integrate battery storage to manage variations in sunshine during the rainy seasons in the two countries.

The project is expected to deliver approximately 3,330 connections to low-income consumers in the DRC and 2,500 in Rwanda, providing over 35,000 people with access to clean energy by 2023, supporting SDGs 7 and 13.

According to InfraCo Africa Business Development Manager Nabil Saimi, InfraCo Africa has a strong track record of delivering mini-grid projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are happy to bring our expertise to Rwanda and the DRC, which are both new countries in which we are investing. We are committed to providing access to clean energy and are delighted to support EP’s innovative approach to coupling access to electricity with agribusiness and other vital job and employment stimuli. economic development. “, did he declare.

Equatorial Power is a decentralized energy infrastructure company, which goes beyond electrons to provide sustainable energy services that enable community growth.

The company owns and operates Agricultural Processing Centers (APHs) providing local communities with access to services such as water purification, cold storage, fish drying and maize milling, creating a burden anchor for the mini-grid while filling gaps in local value chains and promoting economic development. It also offers business incubation programs designed to foster the productive use of clean energy through appliance financing and job training.

Equatorial Power’s Business Development Manager, Dario Fallara, said, “We are pleased to have the right partner to accompany us on our journey to go beyond electrons and deliver modern and sustainable rural infrastructure services. to the populations of the DRC and Rwanda”.

The new project follows InfraCo Africa’s recent US$2 million investment in Saveda Capital, which will be used to build the ZAMBIAFresh Market in the Zambian capital, Lusaka.