AfDB approves €16.7 million to improve electricity access in Guinea Bissau's capital

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group announced, in June, the approval of €16.7 million (a €9-million loan and a €7.7-million grant) in financing toward a program which aims to strengthen the electricity distribution network in Guinea Bissau’s capital by rehabilitating the facilities of 31,000 existing subscribers; connecting 10,500 new subscribers; and improving the commercial management and governance of the public utility, the National Electricity and Water Corporation (company named EAGB).
 

Specifically, the three-year program aims to reduce the number of daily power outages in Bissau related to the poor state of the distribution network from 22 to less than 2; reduce the overall technical and commercial rate of loss in Bissau from 47 to 20 percent; and strengthen the commercial management and governance of the EAGB.
 

Aligned with the Government of Guinea Bissau’s electricity sector investment and capacity building strategy, the program is also being financed by the European Investment Bank and the Government of Guinea Bissau.