Uganda’s Rural Electrification Programme has received a US$212 million loan from the Chinese government.
The East African country has one of the lowest electricity consumption per capita averages on the continent – the national electrification rate stands at 15%, while just 7% of rural areas (home to around 60% of the population) is electrified.
Through the programme, the government has set milestones of 30% by 2020; 51% by 2030; and 100% by 2040, according to an Africa Oil & Power report.
‘This loan […] will enable government to accelerate the access to clean and modern electricity while spurring growth in demand through the electrification of all unserved sub-counties nationwide,’ says Matia Kasaija, Ugandan Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The project includes the construction of 3 839 km of high-voltage networks and 5 921 km of low-voltage networks; the installation and commissioning of 3 403 distribution transfers; and installation of 168 335 single-phase consumers as well as 4 254 three-phase consumers.
