Rwanda’s Energy Sector Gets A USD 125 Mn Boost From World Bank

Rwanda’s power sector has recorded a steady growth over the past decade, statistics indicate that more than half of Rwandans can access electricity up from 10 percent in 2009.

Power outages in the East African nation have become shorter and less frequent due to the many large investments in the country’s energy sector. In what is seen as a boost to the sector, the Rwandan Government has signed another deal with the World Bank.

The USD 125 Million ( Rwf 112bn) credit agreement with World Bank has been directed towards the expansion of electricity services in the East African country.

World Bank Country Manager, Said Yasser El-Gammal, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment towards the development of the country’s energy sector which he said has achieved fastest growth in access amongst the least electrified countries in the world.

Data by the Government indicates that 51 percent of households have access to electricity, 37 percent of these are connected to the national grid and 14 percent through off-grid systems.

So far, The Bretton wood institution supports several electricity projects in the country among them the Rusumo falls hydropower project and the Rusizi II.hydro electric power plant.

Minister for Finance and Economic, Planning Uzziel Ndagijimana said that the connections per year in the country doubled, total access increased from 41 percent in late 2017 to over 52 percent.

“The support through Development Series Operation has significantly contributed to the implementation of the energy sector development strategy in Rwanda with the aim of having 100 percent access by 2024,” he said.

It is expected that by the end of the year 2020, Rwanda will have provided electricity to 61 percent of the households.

By 2022, the Government plans to connect 52 percent of Rwandans through grid extension and 48 percent through off-grid by 2022.

The World Bank executive thus, noted that the Paul Kagame government must ensure that access and efficiency in electricity generation should not be a financial burden.

” It is not easy but our collaboration has allowed a lot of progress to happen on that front and we look forward to more engagement,” he said.

Featured Image Courtesy: hqpower-rwanda.com