Ethiopia: GPOBA Provides US$8 million to Increase Electricity Access in Rural Areas

News Release No. 2008/9

 In Washington:
Cathy Russell, tel. (+1) 202 458 8124 crussell@worldbank.org

In Addis Ababa:
Gelila Woodeneh, tel. (251-1) 662 7700 gwoodeneh@worldbank.org

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – October 30, 2008 – The World Bank, acting as administrator for the Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid (GPOBA), today signed a grant agreement for US$8 million with the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) to support increased access to electricity in rural towns and villages with grid access, within the context of the Universal Electricity Access Program (UEAP) in Ethiopia. Up to 228,571 low-income households will benefit from the scheme through a new or regularized electricity connection and the provision of two energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).