Karongi to Begin Methane Gas Extraction for Cooking in December 2025

By The Inspirer.

Karongi District in Rwanda’s Western Province is set to host a landmark project that could transform how households cook. Methane gas extraction from Lake Kivu, dedicated for cooking purposes, is scheduled to begin in December 2025, according to Governor Jean Bosco Ntibitura.

Speaking during the launch of the Karongi District Exhibition and Trade Fair on August 18, the Governor urged local investors and businesses to prepare for the economic opportunities the project will generate.

“Gasmeth will employ a large workforce. Recently, they presented their planned activities and confirmed that operations are set to begin in December 2025. This means many people will come for the project and will need various services here,” Governor Ntibitura said.

In February 2019, the Government of Rwanda signed a 25-year agreement with Gasmeth Energy to extract, process, and distribute methane gas from Lake Kivu. The gas will be used for cooking, in industries, and in transport.

The company is expected to extract up to 40 million cubic meters of methane gas daily, with the capacity to supply between 300,000 and 400,000 households. This would provide a cleaner, more sustainable energy alternative compared to firewood and charcoal, which remain dominant in most rural households.

On August 18, 2022, Rwanda and Gasmeth laid the foundation stone for the gas processing plant in Bwishyura Sector, Karongi District. While extraction has not yet begun, the company has been undertaking groundwork to pave the way for full operations.

Methane gas from Lake Kivu is expected to start reaching households by 2027, easing pressure caused by rising prices of imported liquefied petroleum gas.

Currently, according to the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), 75 percent of Rwandan families still rely on firewood for cooking, while 18.8 percent use charcoal. Only 5.4 percent use gas, biogas, or electricity. In Kigali City, 23 percent of households cook with gas, but the majority—59 percent—still depend on charcoal.

By providing an affordable, locally-sourced alternative, methane gas could significantly reduce dependence on traditional fuels, improve household health, and cut carbon emissions.

The use of firewood and charcoal for cooking has long been linked to deforestation and respiratory diseases caused by indoor air pollution. Expanding clean cooking solutions aligns with Rwanda’s climate resilience and environmental conservation goals.

Governor Ntibitura underlined that the project will not only change how households cook, but also create a ripple effect in the local economy. Service providers in Karongi—ranging from hospitality to retail—are expected to benefit from the increased workforce and visitors drawn to the project.

“It is important that traders, the private sector, and all partners prepare well to receive and serve this influx of people,” the Governor said.

If successful, the Karongi methane gas project could mark a turning point in Rwanda’s push for universal access to clean cooking energy, reducing reliance on imports and ensuring energy security. It also positions Lake Kivu not only as a source of power generation—as already seen with methane-to-electricity projects—but also as a driver of household energy transformation.

By 2027, thousands of Rwandan families could be cooking with locally produced methane gas, turning an abundant natural resource into a solution for health, environment, and livelihoods.