Uganda: AfDB approves rural grid expansion project

The board of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on 16 September approved a financing package for the $121m Uganda Rural Electricity Access project. The package comprises a $100m loan alongside a €11.2m grant from the Sustainable Energy for All window of the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund. The remainder of the funds are being provided by the Ugandan government. The project seeks to connect around 58,206 rural households, 5,320 businesses and 1,474 public institutions to the grid and will involve building 1,147km of 33kV and 11kV lines and 808km of 0.415kV lines across 16 districts, including a 7km submarine cable supplying Bugala Island in Lake Victoria.