Ngororero district is set to see a major increase in electricity access, with over 24,000 homes to be connected to the grid, The New Times has learned.
According to Mayor Christophe Nkusi, the district's electricity access is expected to rise from the current 57.8 percent to 94 percent.
This initiative is part of the EPC Ngororero project (Engineering Procurement and Construction), which was launched in August 2022 and is scheduled for completion by December 2024.
The $25 million project, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the World Bank, is anticipated to transform lives in Ngororero and foster job creation. Nkusi highlighted the economic empowerment potential, especially among the youth, who are currently grappling with unemployment.
ALSO: Emergency ministry issues warning over illegal mining in Ngororero
"Access to electricity is a game-changer. It opens up employment opportunities, and we anticipate that our youth will be able to establish salons and other electric-powered businesses, enhancing their livelihoods and generating income within their communities,” Nkusi said, adding that the lack of electricity has been a significant challenge for the district.
Acsa Muziranenge, a businesswoman in Kabaya trading center, highlighted the persistent challenges due to power cuts and insufficient electricity supply for electronic devices. She welcomed the ongoing project aimed at boosting electricity in the district.
"We frequently experience power interruptions, and the current supply falls short for connecting certain electronic appliances. When I connect the kettle, all the lights turn off. It’s challenging,” Muziranenge remarked.
"Power connectivity is still a challenge in remote areas, and people who are scattered also struggle to get access to electricity or get connected," said Yvonne Umuhoza, a resident of Gaseke Cell, Kabaya Sector.
According to the 2022 findings from the fifth Rwanda Population and Housing Census conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), only 40 percent of Ngororero residents have access to electricity, with 39 percent relying on phone flashlights and alternative sources like paraffin lamps (1.7%), firewood (15%), or candles (1.3%).