Tuesday, 28, April, 2025

The Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Infrastructure, continues to make significant progress in expanding access to clean and reliable water supply across the country. 

On April 24, 2025, the Minister of State, Mr. Olivier Kabera, conducted an official tour of major infrastructure projects in the Northern Province, including the landmark Volcano Belt Water Supply System currently under construction.

The Volcano Belt Water Supply System is one of the country’s largest ongoing water infrastructure projects, aimed at distributing safe drinking water across key sectors of the Northern and Western provinces. 

Once completed, the project is expected to serve over 354,000 people, improving public health, enhancing livelihoods, and contributing to sustainable socio-economic development in the region.

The first phase of the project, which began in June 2024 and is expected to be completed by December 2025, features 178.9 kilometers of pipeline. It also includes the construction of a new water treatment plant with a capacity of 43,000 m³/day, as well as the rehabilitation of an existing facility to restore 12,500 m³/day in capacity.

Mutobo Water Treatment Plant is undergoing rehabilitation as part of Phase 1 of the Volcano Belt Water Supply System—enhancing daily capacity and ensuring cleaner, safer water for thousands of Rwandans.

The targeted areas of intervention span across multiple districts:

Musanze: Shingiro, Gataraga, Gacaca, and areas already served by the existing plant

Nyabihu: Mukamira, Jenda, Bigogwe, and Kabatwa

Rubavu: Bugeshi, Mudende, and Rugerero

While touring the project sites, Minister of State Mr. Olivier Kabera commended the progress made and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to people-focused service delivery:

“This project is a strong demonstration of our citizen-centered approach to infrastructure. Ensuring that every Rwandan has access to clean and safe water is not a privilege but a right. The government will continue to invest in infrastructure that directly impacts the daily lives of our people.”

Minister of State, Mr. Olivier Kabera, engages with engineers and consultants on-site during an inspection of the Volcano Belt Water Supply System—underscoring the government’s commitment to citizen-centered, high-impact infrastructure.

He also emphasized the project's significance in achieving Rwanda’s broader development goals:

“Clean water is the foundation of public health, productivity, and dignity. The Volcano Belt project will not only serve households, but also support schools, health centers, and businesses in some of the most vital and vibrant regions of our country.”

The initiative aligns with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which prioritize universal access to basic services, especially in underserved rural and peri-urban communities.

Once completed, the Volcano Belt Water Supply System will represent a critical milestone in Rwanda’s infrastructure transformation, reducing the time and distance residents—especially women and children—spend fetching water, while enhancing climate resilience and economic opportunities.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, in collaboration with its implementing agencies and partners, remains committed to completing the project on time and ensuring that quality standards are upheld throughout its implementation.