Kigali, Rwanda — Rwandans are being encouraged to adopt renewable energy sources such as solar and hydropower, which are both affordable and environmentally friendly.
The call was made on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, during the official opening of the Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth Conference & Exhibition and the launch of Rwanda’s annual Energy Week.
Officials highlighted Rwanda’s progress in expanding energy access, with national generation capacity growing from 110 megawatts in 2014 to 467 megawatts today. Electricity coverage has also improved significantly, rising from just 10 percent in 2010 to 86 percent currently. Renewable energy now accounts for 56 percent of the country’s energy mix.
Dr. Ivan Twagirashema, Chairperson of the Board of the Independent Power Producers Association (EPD), described renewables as a solution to the country’s long-term energy challenges.
“By renewable energy, we mean solar power, hydropower from rivers, wind, and biofuels produced from crops like sugarcane, among others,” he explained.
Ambassador Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, Minister of State in charge of Infrastructure at the Ministry of Infrastructure, said Rwanda is committed to achieving universal energy access in a way that prioritizes environmental protection.
“In Rwanda, renewable energy underpins our development agenda. As outlined in NST1, our target for the next five years is clear: to provide affordable energy for all while supporting global efforts to combat climate change,” he said.
He noted that advances in technology have made solar panels more affordable, urging households to install them on rooftops and use them for cooking, heating water, and other domestic needs.
“In the past, using solar energy was expensive because the technology was not advanced. Today, this is no longer the case, which is why we encourage people to turn their rooftops into sources of clean energy,” Uwihanganye added.
According to Rwanda Energy Group (REG), as of February 2025, electricity access had reached 82.2 percent of households. Of these, 57.4 percent are connected to the national grid, while 24.8 percent rely on off-grid solutions, including solar power.