AfDB Grant US $8.9m for Ruzizi IV Hydropower Project in Rwanda

Posted on : Tuesday, 21st January 2020

Ruzizi IV Hydropower Project in Rwanda has gained US $8.9m approval from the African Development Bank (AfDB), taken from the European Union's Africa Investment Platform (EU-AIP) to help the implementation of the Project.

At present, two power plants are already in operation: Ruzizi I which builds 29.8MW and Ruzizi II which produces 43.8 MW. Ruzizi III with an estimated 147MW output is under development with Bank support. When accomplished, Ruzizi IV is expected to produce 287MW of electricity and exploit the Ruzizi River's full hydropower potential.

The power plant will be located on the Ruzizi River between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and will supply electricity to the DRC, Burundi and Rwanda. The project will enable access to electricity to millions of households, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and industries, thereby reconstructing the living conditions of the regional population. Greater and more reliable access to electricity will also improve the quality of basic social service delivery including health, education, and improved security.