Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are set to benefit from a major energy infrastructure agreement that could unlock new markets, expand productive capacity and improve regional integration. Anzana Electric Group has signed a preliminary agreement with Ruzizi III Holding Power Co. Ltd. (RHPCL) to acquire up to 10 percent equity in the landmark Ruzizi III Hydropower Project. This move places Anzana at the heart of a regional energy transformation that could reshape business prospects in one of Africa’s most underserved regions.
The 206-megawatt Ruzizi III project is expected to nearly double Burundi’s electricity capacity, increase Rwanda’s power supply by 30 percent and provide much-needed baseload energy to eastern DRC. For entrepreneurs across these countries, many of whom currently operate without reliable electricity, this development could be the foundation they need to scale operations, increase productivity and bring new innovations to life. The agreement was part of more than $2.5 billion in commitments signed during the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, signaling growing international interest in Africa’s energy and infrastructure potential.
Access to electricity remains a core barrier for African entrepreneurs. In the Ruzizi region, only about 24 percent of people have access to power and more than half live below the poverty line. By directly addressing this energy gap, the Ruzizi III project opens the door for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to thrive in agro-processing, light manufacturing, retail and digital services, all of which rely on consistent, affordable electricity.
The project is structured as a public-private partnership and will be built under a build-own-operate-transfer model. RHPCL, registered in Rwanda, is the private partner to the project company, Ruzizi III Energy Limited. Anzana Electric Group’s potential 10 percent equity stake reflects its growing role in the continent’s power landscape. The company, formerly known as Virunga Power, has been a key player in renewable energy and rural electrification since 2011 and its rebranding in 2024 signals a broader ambition to develop and operate scalable utility projects across Africa.
This shift is strategic. As energy access expands, so do opportunities for entrepreneurship. Businesses can now rely on predictable power to reduce overheads, modernize equipment and extend operating hours. In turn, this creates new jobs and stimulates local supply chains. Anzana’s involvement brings more than capital, it brings technical expertise, credibility with investors and a model focused on inclusion and sustainability.
The partnership agreement with RHPCL is expected to be finalized by September. It will cover governance rights, investment terms and a longer-term collaboration pathway. For entrepreneurs, especially those in remote or underserved communities, the importance of this infrastructure cannot be overstated. It will help level the playing field by making electricity a standard input, not a luxury.
Anzana’s approach is unique in its belief that first-time power users, typically households and small businesses, are viable customers who can be served sustainably. By blending private capital with concessional finance from development partners, the company aims to build affordable, high-impact energy systems that support long-term economic development. Their projects are designed to integrate with national utilities, private sector operations and small-scale users alike.
Beyond direct benefits to business owners, the project also strengthens regional trade and economic ties. With power being shared across borders, the infrastructure fosters cooperation and stability. For example, manufacturers in Rwanda will be able to expand production and export goods more reliably, while farmers in Burundi could preserve and process more of their crops, opening the door to larger markets.
At a macro level, the project aligns with broader efforts to boost U.S.-Africa economic relations. Other deals signed at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit reinforce this momentum. U.S.-based Hydro-Link committed $1.5 billion to build a private transmission line between Angola and the DRC, delivering 1.2 gigawatts of power to the mineral-rich Kolwezi region. CEC Africa Sierra Leone Ltd. signed an MOU to construct West Africa’s first LNG import terminal in partnership with AG&P and with support from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. This will power the Nant Power Project in Sierra Leone and serve a broader industrial and residential base.
In Angola, a U.S. consortium led by Amer-Con Corp. signed a deal with the national cargo and logistics agency to build 22 grain silo terminals along the Lobito Corridor. U.S. firm Cybastion also partnered with Angola Telecom in a $170 million initiative to modernize digital infrastructure and deliver IT training across the country. In Ethiopia, U.S. International Finance Partners signed an agreement to invest over $200 million in tourism-related infrastructure, including luxury hotels and branded residences.
These projects share a common theme: strategic investments in infrastructure that enable long-term private sector growth. The Anzana-Ruzizi III deal is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs because it focuses on reliable power, a basic but transformational input for doing business.
Anzana’s identity is rooted in purpose. The name itself combines two Swahili words: “anza” meaning “to begin,” and “zana” meaning “tool.” It reflects the company’s mission to provide the foundational tools communities need to build prosperous futures. Energy is not just about lighting homes, it’s about powering progress, enabling innovation and creating conditions where entrepreneurship can thrive.
As this and other projects move forward, entrepreneurs in Africa will find themselves in a stronger position to compete, collaborate and grow. Reliable electricity doesn’t just change how businesses operate, it changes what is possible.
