Rwanda secures Rwf430 billion to accelerate electricity access and clean energy by 2029

By The Inspirer.

Rwanda has secured €260.6 million (approximately Rwf435.8 billion) to expand electricity access and promote clean energy solutions, the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced on July 17.

The financing will support the Rwanda Energy Sector Result-Based Financing (RBF II) programme, a key initiative under the country’s Energy Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP II) for 2024–2029.

The funding includes €173.6 million from the AfDB and an additional €82.96 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The programme will focus on connecting households and businesses to the grid, expanding off-grid access, promoting cleaner cooking solutions, and strengthening institutional capacity.

According to AfDB, the RBF II programme is expected to connect 204,000 households, 850 productive users, and 1,600 social institutions such as schools and health centers.

It will also deliver 56,000 new off-grid connections, distribute 30,000 efficient electric cookers, and install street lighting along 200 kilometers of secondary roads.

The initiative aligns with Rwanda’s target to increase electricity access from the current 82.2% to 100% by 2028/29, while also scaling up power generation capacity from 410 MW to 645 MW during the same period.

Officials say this ambitious goal is essential to support rapid economic growth, improve living standards, and foster innovation.

Over the past decade, Rwanda has made significant progress in electrification, rising from 57.4% connectivity in 2017 to more than 82% in 2024. The government expects this latest investment to accelerate the transition to clean energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and improve the quality of life for millions of citizens.

AfDB emphasized that the programme will also contribute to the bank’s broader mission to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.