RWANDA – The World Bank has signed a $125million (Rwf112billionn) credit agreement with the government of Rwanda to support the government’s nationwide electrification project.
According to New Times Rwanda, The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Uzziel Ndagijimana and the World Bank Country Manager, Said Yasser El-Gammal, exchanged the signed documents of credit agreement that will cater for the expansion of electricity access in the country in Kigali.
El-Gammal said, “It is a very good time for everyone to pause and look at Rwanda’s achievements in the energy sector. Globally speaking, Rwanda is one of the countries that has achieved the fastest growth in access amongst the least electrified countries in the world.”
He pointed out that looking back at the numbers a decade ago, the achievements made in Rwanda’s energy sector are undeniable, adding that it was something that the country should be very proud of.
“So far, new connections completed per year have doubled while total access has increased from 41 per cent in late 2017 to over 52 per cent today,” he said.
El-Gammal said that his institution was supporting a number of projects that continue to boost energy production which also, in turn, helps to subsidise the prices.
Uzziel Ndagijimana said that the agreement has greatly contributed to improving the energy sector, especially in regards to access as stipulated in the National Strategy for Transformation with the aim of having 100 per cent access by 2024.
Rusumo falls hydropower project will be one of the projects that will contribute to this under joint development by the governments of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. it is expected to produce 80 megawatts.
The other project will be Rusizi II which will bring together Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo.
The plan is to connect at least 52 per cent of the national population through grid extension while 48 per cent will be connected through off-grid by 2022.
Currently the off-grid connection stands at 14 per cent. By the end of the year 2020, it is expected that Rwanda will have provided electricity to 61 per cent of the households.