Gridworks Group, a British development investment company, and the Government of Uganda have signed two landmark agreements that will enable the commencement of construction of the Amari Power Transmission Project in the coming weeks.
Amari has signed an Implementation Agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and a Transmission Services Agreement with the national transmission utility, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL).
The Amari project will be the first Independent Transmission Project (ITP) on the continent to advance into the construction phase.
Valued at US$50 million, the ITP will upgrade the transformation capacity of four high-voltage electricity substations located at strategic points on Uganda’s grid. The upgrades will strengthen electricity supply to industrial users in line with the government’s plans to enhance the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.
The project will also increase the grid’s ability to absorb more renewable energy and provide capacity to support future regional interconnections with neighboring countries. Upon completion, Amari will support Uganda’s growing electricity demand, facilitate the evacuation of existing and future generation, reduce system losses, and improve power quality across the transmission network. The construction phase is also expected to create job opportunities.
Gridworks’ Chief Executive Officer, Chris Flavin, welcomed the strong collaboration with the Government of Uganda, stating:“This is a decisive step that will allow the Amari Transmission Project to move into construction. We are particularly grateful for the leadership, foresight, and constructive engagement shown by the Government of Uganda in bringing this project to this stage. By prioritising strategic transmission infrastructure, the Government is laying the foundations for reliable power supply, industrial growth, and long-term economic development. We now look forward to starting construction in the coming weeks and to delivering this important project.”
Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, emphasised the project’s strategic importance and the government’s commitment to expanding and strengthening the national grid: “The Amari Power Transmission Project is a strategic pillar within our long-term agenda to modernise and future-proof Uganda’s national electricity network.
By strengthening transmission infrastructure, we are enabling reliable power supply for industrial growth, regional power trade, and inclusive socio-economic transformation. Our partnership with Gridworks reflects our commitment to mobilising sustainable private capital and expertise to accelerate delivery of priority energy investments. We remain focused on ensuring timely implementation so that this infrastructure catalyses investment, enhances system resilience, and supports Uganda’s journey toward middle-income status.”
UETCL CEO Eng. Richard Matsiko added:“As UETCL, we view this partnership as strategic and transformative, and we look forward to effective implementation and tangible improvements to the national grid.”
Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, noted: “Transmission is a vital part of electrifying the African continent. Today’s announcement demonstrates the role that development capital can play in connecting millions of families and businesses to reliable and affordable power. I am delighted that Gridworks, a BII company, can play a pivotal role in achieving this key objective for Uganda.”
Gridworks also has a portfolio of additional ITPs under development, including the Chimuara–Nacala (Phase II & III) project— a US$450 million, 460 km high-voltage transmission line connecting central and northern Mozambique— and the Mbale–Bulambuli project, which involves constructing 80 km of high-voltage lines and two new substations in eastern Uganda.
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