The Prime Minister welcomes major new UK investments and public-private partnerships

As he addresses the Commonwealth Business Forum in Kigali today, the Prime Minister will applaud significant new UK investments and public-private partnerships that are accelerating the renewable energy transformation in Africa.

Two initiatives backed by British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development financing organization, would significantly increase hydropower in Africa and update Uganda’s power plants to increase the country’s potential for renewable energy.

The crucial maritime sector of Small Island Developing States will receive an additional £36 million from the UK to support sustainable growth.

The money will help tiny island governments utilize UK scientific resources and experience to profitably exploit their maritime resources while preserving the marine environment.

Boris Johnson, the prime minister, said:

“Africa is experiencing a Green Industrial Revolution, supported by British funding and technical know-how.

The continent’s immense natural resources may be used to generate affordable, dependable energy for its people and companies without adding to the global warming that is already wreaking havoc on local communities.

The UK government is setting the bar high by promoting environmentally friendly infrastructure across the Commonwealth and providing fresh chances for the country’s top clean technology firms to expand globally.

In a joint venture with energy company Scatec, British International Investment and Norfund of Norway would invest up to £162 million (US$200 million) in the hydropower industry in Africa.

The agreement is anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, produce 180,000 new jobs, and supply more than 3 million people with enough electricity.

The development of Malawi’s largest power plant is one of the initial projects, as is the proposed 205MW Ruzizi III hydropower facility, which will supply energy to Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Burundi.

This Monday, the Ugandan government and Gridworks, a BII subsidiary sponsored by the UK government, signed a collaboration agreement in which Uganda will contribute up to $90 million [£73 million] toward the development of its national grid.

In order to increase their ability to absorb renewable energy and service industrial customers, the project will rebuild four crucial power substations in Uganda.

Uganda presently receives 80% of its energy from renewable sources, but with better storage and transmission facilities, the country could produce much more.