World Bank Approves USD 142 Mn Loan To Integrate Solar Into Zanzibar Grid

The World Bank Group has granted USD 142 Mn to modernize Zanzibar’s power network and integrate renewable energy, allowing 400,000 people to be electrified in this Indian Ocean archipelago.

The International Development Association (IDA) provided a credit of USD 117 Mn, while the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) provided a loan of USD 22 Mn. The CTF is also offering a USD 3 Mn grant.

The funding will go toward the Zanzibar Energy Sector Access and Transformation Project (Zesta). The project is being carried out by the Zanzibar Ministry of Water, Energy, and Minerals and the Zanzibar Power Corporation (Zeco), which transmits and distributes electricity in this autonomous region within the Republic of Tanzania. The construction of these new facilities will provide new connections to the Zeco grid. The World Bank estimates that 400,000 people will have access to electricity as a result.