The third annual iPAD Rwanda Energy Infrastructure Forum could act as catalyst for the country to attract private investors into the crucial sector, utility experts have said.

The two-day forum opens today, with about 250 delegates from different countries across the world expected to attend, according to the organisers.

Evan Schiff, one of the organisers, said as much as the meeting has various expectations, this could as well act as an assessment opportunity for investors with interest in tapping into the country’s energy sector.

"By providing a platform such as this meeting focusing on the Rwandan energy sector, the focum affords international players interested in energy or who have been looking to get involved in Rwanda to assess their interests,” Schiff told The New Times.

He added that the meeting would also inform investors on available regional and specifically Rwanda energy sector investment opportunities to come together and to discuss solutions to make the government’s vision and direction visible.

"The event will demonstrate the proactive nature of Rwanda to develop the sector efficiently and effectively,” a statement released ahead of the meeting reads in part.

While addressing journalists in Kigali, yesterday, Rwanda Energy Group chief executive Jean Bosco Mugiraneza said the forum will play an important role in the transformation of Rwanda into a dynamic global hub for business, infrastructure investment, and innovation.

He said the forum could encourage the progress of new partnerships for economic growth and sustainable development in the country, mainly in the energy sector—consequently helping the country to realise its energy goals.

"As you may know, our target is to make sure that 70 per cent of Rwandan households have access to electricity by 2018. We can’t achieve this without partnerships from the private sector and this meeting is intended for exactly that,” Mugiraneza added.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw