The government of Burkina Faso launched its rural electrification project that will affect 45 localities in the provinces of Ziro and Gourma. Called ERD-ZIGO, the initiative will have an estimated cost of more than $13 million to be co-financed by the EU up to 72%. Burkina Faso’s rural electrification agency and the beneficiary local authorities will provide the rest of the financing.
"This action will make connections for 5,150 domestic households and connect 600 socio-economic activities including 86 schools, colleges and high schools, 13 health centers and 16 drinking water supplies," said Bachir Ishmael Ouedraogo, the Minister of Energy, at the launching ceremony of the project.
Burkina Faso has a national electrification rate of about 20%. A figure that falls to 3% in rural areas of the country.