Kigali, 27 January, 2020: Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Claver Gatete has revealed that the Government of Rwanda recognizes the vital role that electricity plays in accelerating economic development through improving health and standards of living.

During the ceremony to celebrate the one-millionth household connected to electricity, an event that was held in Kigali last Thursday, Minister of Infrastructure said the Government is mobilizing $1.5 billion (Rwf1.4tn) to be able to connect all 3.8 million households to electricity by 2024. “This means we remain with connecting 2. 4 million households which requires an investment of $1.5 billion which we are mobilizing,” Minister Gatete said.

Of the 2.4 million remaining to be connected in the five years, one million will be connected to the grid while 1.4 million will be linked to off-grid solutions. Minister Gatete said that in order to meet the target of 100 per cent households, various investments are being made with the great engagement of private sector. According to the Minister, the plan is by 2024 to have 52 per cent of households connected to national grid while 48 per cent will be connected to off-grid solutions. “The government is committed to meet the universal electricity access by 2024 and mobilize related funds. We are working with private sector and development partners to implement the target,” he said.

Minister of Infrastructure announced that key projects to boost access to electricity include the 70 MW of peat power by Hakan Company that will be availed June this year, 56 MW from Methane Gas that will be supplied by Shema Power Lake Kivu Ltd in March 2021, 80 MW that will come from Rusumo Hydropower and be shared among Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

Those projects also include 43.5 MW that will be produced by Nyabarongo II Hydropower plant as well as 147MW from Rusizi III Hydropower plant of which 49MW will be the share of Rwanda). All of them will ensure that Rwanda has 556 MW by 2024.