Nyabihu moves closer to universal access as 21,000 households receive electricity

By The Inspirer.

More than 21,000 households in Nyabihu District have begun receiving electricity under a major infrastructure rollout expected to significantly boost economic activity and improve living standards.

The electrification drive, implemented in partnership with the EPC Nyabihu project, is valued at over Rwf26 billion and forms part of the district’s broader strategy to accelerate inclusive development.

Residents who have already been connected say the impact is immediate and transformative.

Mpayimana Eugene, a small-scale trader in Mukamira Sector, said access to electricity will enable him to expand his business and attract more customers.

“We used to rely on candlelight and travel long distances just to charge our phones,” he said. “Now I will install a refrigerator and buy a television set so customers can follow news and football matches. This will increase our income and improve our family’s welfare.”

For students, the benefits go beyond convenience. Niyonzima Eric, a secondary school learner, said reliable electricity will enhance academic performance and open opportunities in technology-driven fields.

“We will study in proper lighting and use computers,” he said. “It increases our chances of success and allows us to take advantage of opportunities in welding, salons and other businesses that depend on electricity.”

The district’s Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Habanabakize Jean Claude, said the ultimate goal is to achieve 100 percent electricity access by 2029.

“Electricity is a cornerstone of rapid and sustainable development,” he said. “Within the next five years, we want every resident to have access to power so they can use it productively.”

Authorities have also urged residents to continue settling in planned villages and comply with the district’s land use master plan, noting that organized settlements make it easier and more cost-effective to extend infrastructure services.

When the first National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) was launched in 2017, electricity coverage in Nyabihu stood at 27 percent. By 2024, it had increased to 60.6 percent. Upon completion of the current project, coverage is projected to rise to at least 92 percent.

The project is being implemented by the Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL) with a budget of $14.7 million (approximately Rwf21.4 billion), supplemented by over Rwf5 billion in additional funding.

Currently at 82.9 percent completion, the initiative has already connected 17,209 households to the national grid, marking a significant step toward universal electrification in the district.