The Burundi government has received a €2 million (US$2.2 million) grant to finance feasibility studies for the Development of Water Resources and Ruvyironza Multi-Purpose Dam (PRODERER) project. The grant was approved by the African Water Facility (AWF), which is hosted and managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB)

The PRODERER scheme focuses on provinces most affected by a lack of water supply – Cankuzo, Gitega, Karuzi, Muyinga and Ruyigi in the centre and northeast of Burundi.

The studies will look at the feasibility of developing a multi-use dam with a reservoir of about 373 million cubic metres and a 22MW hydroelectric plant in the Gitega province, the development of approximately 14,674 hectares of irrigated areas, and the supply of drinking water in the provinces.

The PRODERER project aims to provide water and sanitation services for more than 270,000 rural households as well as 417,000 people in the urban areas of Gitega, Muyinga, Cankuzo and Karuzi.

“The preparation of bankable feasibility studies will lay the groundwork for the development of much-needed multipurpose water storage and supply infrastructure in Burundi,” said Mtchera Chirwa, coordinator of the AWF, regarding the grant, which was approved in March. “This will help to strengthen water security in the region, leading to improved livelihoods, health outcomes, and adaptation and resilience to climate change.”

Burundi’s Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock will implement the PRODERER scheme, with technical support from the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Programme (NELSAP) over 24 months. The overall project is due to be completed by October 2026.

The project is expected to generate 244 jobs during the preparation phase, and 5,000 to 7,200 jobs during downstream investments.

According to the AfDB, only 62.4% of Burundi's population has access to potable water services. The access rate in rural areas is 57.7%, while in urban areas it is 90.7%.