The Federal Republic of Germany has granted Rwanda with US$ 17m that is meant to improve the energy supply in their country and the Great Lakes region.
The agreement was assured during a bilateral talk between Germany and Rwanda that was witnessed by Claver Gatete, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Peter Fahrenholtz, Germany ambassador to Rwanda
“This bilateral agreement is very vital as it shall increase Rwanda’s clean energy production by about 50 Megawatt (MW) and it will also create employment especially to the youths and reduce greenhouse gas emission as well,” Mr. Gatete said.
The minister added that the funding will entirely be designated to the regional Hydro power Station Ruzizi III project which will majorly contribute to foster socio-economic development in the Great Lakes region and also improve energy supply in Rwanda.
Ambassador Fahrenholtz pointed out that his government is committed to support Rwanda in energy supply so that the citizens can live a better life. “Energy is very important to Rwanda and the region at large and we are glad to contribute to energy supply,” he said.
The bilateral agreement will lead to the long-standing cooperation and mutual trust between the two countries. This is evident as Germany supports Rwanda in a variety of sectors like education in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), decentralization, private sector development and Public Finance Management (PFM). Others sectors are basket fund and regional projects such as centre of excellence for health among other projects.
Rwanda has a vision of attaining 70% access of electricity by 2018 from the current 24%. The funds will be implemented by the German KfW Development Bank in cooperation with the Rwandan government and other donors such as the African Development Bank, World Bank and the European Union.
