Exchange of Notes for Environmental Program Grant Aid for the Republic of Burundi

Thursday, Jan 21, 2010

The Government of Japan has decided to extend environmental program grant aid (the Project for Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System) totaling 540 million JPY to the Republic of Burundi. Notes to this effect were exchanged on January 18 (Mon) (local time: same day) in Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi, between Mr. Shigeo Iwatani, Japanese Ambassador to Burundi, and S.E.M. Augustin Nsanze, Minister of External Relations and International Cooperation of Burundi.

Burundi is dependent on hydroelectric power generation for its supply of electricity. Because of the deterioration of facilities due to the civil war which continued for many years, electricity is only available to 2% of the country – an extremely small portion. Due to this situation, the proliferation of clean energy by solar electricity generation systems has become vital in order to supplement hydroelectric power generation, which is affected by the amount of rainfall.

This grant aid will provide funds necessary to equip Kamenge University Hospital, an integral hospital located in Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi, with solar electricity generation devices. It is predicted that through implementing this aid, CO2 emissions will be reduced and the necessary framework for proliferation of solar electricity generation systems will be built in Burundi.

This grant aid is part of Japan's commitment to Africa announced at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) held in May 2008 to strengthen cooperation towards efforts in the field of climate change countermeasures by the African countries.

(Reference)　The Republic of Burundi is located in central Africa, covers a land area of approximately 27,800 square kilometers, has a population of approximately 8.07 million people (World Bank, 2008), and a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of approximately 140 USD (World Bank, 2008).

Source: PR Newswire