Rwanda announces updated electricity tariffs

By The Inspirer.

The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) has announced revised electricity tariffs aimed at aligning costs with current economic conditions and meeting the growing demand for electricity. The last tariff review was in 2020.

According to RURA, the adjustments were made considering various economic changes and developments in electricity generation to ensure Rwanda becomes increasingly self-sufficient in power supply.

To support household electricity use and expand access, the first-tier household consumption limit has been raised from 15 kWh to 20 kWh, while the standard tariff remains unchanged.

Schools, hospitals, and other public service institutions will benefit from special tariffs to ease their operations. Industrial electricity use remains priced at lower rates, with incentives for off-peak consumption. RURA also highlighted that the new tariffs support environmentally friendly infrastructure investments, including e-mobility charging stations, in line with national climate and economic goals.

For households, consumption from 0–20 kWh per month will cost 89 Rwf per kWh, 20–50 kWh will cost 310 Rwf per kWh, and above 50 kWh will cost 369 Rwf per kWh. Commercial and mixed-use buildings consuming 0–100 kWh will pay 355 Rwf per kWh, and those using more than 100 kWh will pay 376 Rwf per kWh.

Media services such as radio and TV will pay 276 Rwf per kWh, schools and health facilities 214 Rwf per kWh, communication towers 289 Rwf per kWh, and hotels using less than 660,000 kWh per year will pay 239 Rwf per kWh.

Industries and mining companies using less than 100,000 kWh annually will pay 175 Rwf per kWh, while those consuming 100,000–1,000,000 kWh will pay 133 Rwf per kWh.

Large industries using more than 1,000,000 kWh per year and e-mobility stations will pay between 97 and 110 Rwf per kWh.

These tariffs will take effect on 1 October 2025.

Minister of Infrastructure Dr. Jimmy Gasore stated that electricity tariffs will now be reviewed every three to four months to reflect current conditions, noting that revisions had been delayed due to COVID-19. He emphasized that tariff adjustments consider different economic categories, ensuring affordability for low-income households while encouraging efficient energy use for larger consumers.

The updated tariffs were approved by the Cabinet on 15 September 2025 as part of Rwanda’s strategy for sustainable energy self-sufficiency. By 2025, electricity access in Rwandan households reached 85%, up from less than 2% in 2000.