Kayanza : power outages paralyze the city, reflecting a national energy crisis

In Kayanza, in northern Burundi, as in many parts of the country, power outages are becoming the norm. For several weeks, the city has been operating at a standstill. Economic activity has ground to a halt, classes disrupted, and the population is at its wit’s end : the power has gone out, both literally and figuratively.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

In the city of Kayanza, in northern Burundi, anger is brewing. Residents are denouncing prolonged and recurring power outages that affect all aspects of daily life. “There is no longer any predictability. You can go a whole day without power,” confides a downtown merchant.

Direct economic consequences

Professions dependent on electricity are the first to suffer. Welders, secretarial services, cafeterias, internet cafes… all are hard hit. “I just sit here waiting, doing nothing. When I’m not working, my family doesn’t eat,” laments a welder we met in the Ngoma neighborhood.

In some cases, the consequences are even more severe. Several small businesses have temporarily closed their doors. Marie Chantal Kamariza, manager of a cafeteria, says, “No more power, no more work. No more work, no more income. But the expenses remain. It’s stifling.”

Pupils, other silent victims

The power outages also disrupt classes. Without nighttime lights, children struggle to study. “It’s exam time, and my children can’t study properly. How will they succeed?”, worryingly says a father.

A local problem, but a national crisis

The situation in Kayanza is not isolated. For several months, Burundi has been experiencing a serious energy crisis. The demand far exceeds the country’s production capacity. Several hydroelectric dams, notably Mugere and Rwegura, are operating at a standstill due to falling water levels. Lack of investment in infrastructure and delays in regional interconnection projects are exacerbating the situation.

Last March, Regideso, the state-owned water and electricity distribution company, announced a load shedding program, which was supposed to be temporary. But in practice, the outages have become almost permanent in some provinces.

Promises, but few results

The Kayanza provincial administration claims to be aware of the situation. “We have reported our grievances to the appropriate authorities,” said a local official on condition of anonymity. But on the ground, no improvement is yet visible. Residents, for their part, are demanding more than promises.

The population calls for immediate action

Faced with the authorities’ inaction, Kayanza residents are increasing their calls for sustainable solutions. They are demanding an emergency plan to stabilize electricity distribution and protect key sectors of the local economy.

“Electricity is not a luxury. It’s a necessity,” insists a local teacher.

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Cables and poles from Regideso, the only state-owned company responsible for water and electricity distribution in Burundi (SOS Médias Burundi)