Starting from August, water users are required to utilize a digital payment system to obtain water use permits, according to the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB). This new system aims to streamline the permit application process, making it more efficient for water users.
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Vital Munyandinda, the Water Use Permit Division Manager at RWB, explained that activities requiring a water use permit include irrigation on land exceeding one hectare, construction of ports, dams, and other infrastructure in water bodies, fish farming, recreational activities involving water, domestic water supply, hydropower, water supply for livestock, community settlements, coffee washing, gas extraction, industrial use, and mining, among others.
"So far, 1,014 water use permits have been issued,” he told The New Times.
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Instead of queuing at banks, applicants can now conveniently pay using digital cards and mobile money services through IREMBO. Rwanda plans to digitize approximately 400 additional services on IREMBO—an online portal that serves as a gateway to various government services.
Future e-services to be added to the platform have been identified across multiple sectors, including forest services, livestock movement permits, licenses to open and operate health facilities, import permits, research permits, and various Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) licenses.
Other services include documents issued at village, cell, and sector levels, accreditation and inspection services, payment for specific services like cemetery fees, cleaning fees, market fees, and laboratory analysis services at the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).
"The digital payment system aims to streamline and simplify the processes for water use permitting and inspection by facilitating easy payment of related fees,” Munyandinda said, adding that Rwf35,000 is the fee for each permit.
He further noted that "the digital payment system is the first step toward developing a fully digital permit system, where all water permitting operations—including applications, assessments, permit issuance, and water use reporting—will be processed digitally.”
The digital platform, he explained, offers a user-friendly portal that provides transparency in transactions and financial reconciliation.
"Payments and application statuses can be efficiently tracked and managed. The system will also facilitate general accounting routines and enable the recipient fund to easily track and analyze conducted payments,” he added.
Additionally, the platform allows for automated notifications to be sent to water users at every stage of their permit application, ensuring users remain informed and engaged throughout the process.
Penalties for Defaulters
Article 36 of Law N°49/2018 of 13/08/2018, which governs the use and management of water resources in Rwanda, states that any person who uses water or carries out a water-related activity without the required water use permit commits an offense. Upon conviction, the individual may be subject to imprisonment for a term of two to three months, a fine of Rwf500,000, or one of these penalties.
Conservationists emphasize that water resources are under increasing pressure, highlighting the importance of efficient and effective use to ensure sustainability for future generations.
In 2022, the Water Resources Board identified approximately 2,200 major water users, of whom only 696 had valid water use permits, according to inspections carried out.
Using water resources without permits poses challenges in managing these resources effectively and could hinder the country’s socio-economic development. Inefficient and ineffective use of water resources could also lead to environmental degradation.