Uganda's Amari Secures $50m for Continent’s First Independent Grid Project

The Amari Power Transmission project in Uganda has reached financial close with $50 million in funding, becoming the first Independent Transmission Project (ITP) in Africa to hit this milestone.

The project, developed in collaboration with the Ugandan government and the national transmission utility UETCL, will upgrade four high-voltage substations across the country. In an annoucement, Gridworks Development Partners said the work is intended to improve electricity reliability for industrial users, support regional power trade, integrate new generation, and reduce system losses.

Chris Flavin, CEO of Gridworks, welcomed the milestone, saying, “I am very pleased to announce this project has reached financial close. We are grateful to the government of Uganda for its leadership and for the constructive partnership that has made this project possible. Amari demonstrates how governments and private investors can unlock capital for critical grid infrastructure.”

H.E. Lisa Chesney, British High Commissioner to Uganda, added: “The achievement of financial close for the Amari Power Transmission Project is a landmark moment for Uganda and Africa’s energy sector. It strengthens Uganda’s electricity infrastructure, enhances industrial competitiveness, and contributes to sustainable economic growth.”

Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at British International Investment (BII), said: “Gridworks is pioneering an innovative approach to transmission financing in Africa, starting in Uganda with Amari. This will be a pathway for financing more transmission projects across the continent.”

Construction will begin immediately, with Siemens Energy appointed as EPC contractor, and commissioning is expected in 2028.

Gridworks is also developing several other ITPs across Africa, including a $450 million, 460 km high-voltage line in Mozambique, and two projects in Ethiopia valued at around US$400 million. Its broader portfolio includes solar-powered utilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and distributed energy providers in the region.