InfraCo Africa backs new mini-grids and agri-processing hubs in DRC and Rwanda

InfraCo Africa, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), has signed an agreement with Equatorial Power, committing US$1.7 million to scale the company’s innovative mini-grid model in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

The project will see the companies co-develop four new mini-grids and four agri-processing hubs on Idjwi Island, DRC, followed by a further four solar mini-grids and three agri-processing hubs in south-east Rwanda. This will provide smaller businesses with access to electricity. Ranging in size from 60kW to 85kW, the new mini grids will incorporate battery storage to manage fluctuating sunshine during the countries’ rainy seasons.

Equatorial Power owns and operates agri-processing hubs, offering local communities access to services such as water purification, cold storage, fish drying and maize milling, creating an anchor load for the mini-grid whilst closing gaps in local value chains and promoting economic development.

InfraCo Africa’s head of business development, Nabil Saimi said, “InfraCo Africa has a strong track record of delivering mini-grid projects in sub-Saharan Africa and we are pleased to bring our expertise to Rwanda and DRC, both of which are new countries for us to invest into. We are committed to delivering access to clean power and are excited to support Equatorial Power’s innovative approach to coupling power access with agri-processing and other vital stimuli for employment and economic development.”

Equatorial Power’s head of business development, Dario Fallara said, “We are happy to have the right partner to accompany us on our journey to go beyond electrons and offer modern and sustainable rural infrastructure services to the people of DRC and Rwanda.”