Inside AfDB's support for water accessibility in Rwanda #rwanda #RwOT

As the AfDB celebrates its 60th anniversary in Rwanda, its partnership with the Government of Rwanda has significantly advanced access to clean water (82 percent of the country's population), through the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), while also fostering broader socio-economic improvements across communities.

For over eight years, AfDB has led the way in supporting Rwanda's water supply and sanitation projects, financing initiatives that have benefited millions.

A major milestone in this partnership was the approval of the Rwanda Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program in November 2017. The program focused on the City of Kigali and several satellite cities, including Rubavu, Rusizi, Nyagatare, and Muhanga.

To date, approximately 1.1 million people have gained access to improved water services, with another 475,000 people expected to benefit from enhanced sanitation infrastructure by 2026.

Building on this success, AfDB expanded its support in 2018, providing additional financing to extend the program to districts such as Gatsibo, Kayonza, and Ruhango.

In schools, the availability of reliable water has had a direct impact on both the quality of education and the sustainability of school feeding programs.

In December 2023, AfDB approved a new phase of the partnership, the Rwanda Transformative and Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program. This initiative aims to reach approximately 2.33 million people by 2029, with a particular focus on improving water supply and sanitation in Kigali and several other districts, including Gicumbi, Huye, and Nyaruguru. Women will make up 50% of the beneficiaries.

The financing for these projects includes an initial loan of $282,318,000, an additional loan of EUR 135,717,000, and support for the Rwanda Transformative and Sustainable Water and Sanitation Program through a loan of JPY 39,732,944,830.

Reflecting on these efforts, Dr. Omar Munyaneza, CEO of WASAC, highlighted the far-reaching benefits of these projects.

'The projects funded by the African Development Bank have not only provided access to clean water to the served community, but they have also impacted the socio-economic aspects of the project's beneficiaries.

This was achieved through employment, reduction of waterborne diseases, water access to schools, which directly impacts the quality of education and sustainability of school feeding programs, and many more,' he said.

Dr. Omar Munyaneza, CEO of WASAC, highlighted the far-reaching benefits of these projects.

Some of the most significant AfDB-funded projects include the construction, rehabilitation, and expansion of water supply networks in Kigali and its peri-urban areas.

Other key initiatives include the Mwoya water treatment plant, which serves Rusizi District, and the new Gihira plant in Rubavu, both of which are essential for meeting the water needs of these rapidly growing communities.

The Kivu and Muhazi water supply projects, which aim to provide reliable water access to Karongi and Gatsibo Districts, respectively, and the Volcano Belt project, which will upgrade the Mutobo treatment plant to 48,000 cubic meters per day, benefiting residents of Musanze, Nyabihu, and Rubavu, are also notable.

AfDB's role has extended beyond financial support to include addressing Rwanda's water access challenges, particularly in rural areas. The long-term impacts of these projects are already visible. In addition to providing clean water, AfDB-funded initiatives have spurred economic growth by creating jobs and reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases.

The projects funded by the African Development Bank have not only provided access to clean water to the served community, but they have also impacted the socio-economic aspects of the project's beneficiaries.

In schools, the availability of reliable water has had a direct impact on both the quality of education and the sustainability of school feeding programs. With water easily accessible, students no longer spend hours fetching water, allowing them to focus on their studies and enhancing overall learning outcomes.

Looking ahead, both WASAC and AfDB are committed to ensuring the sustainability of these achievements. Munyaneza stressed that the key to long-term success lies in building capacity and maintaining infrastructure.

'As we are envisaging 100% water access across the country, the current common goal is to sustain the infrastructure through continuous capacity building for service providers on proper operation and maintenance. We are also working on introducing innovative technology to reduce non-revenue water, and focusing on institutional development in areas like sanitation and water resources management,' he said.

As Rwanda moves closer to achieving universal water access, AfDB's continued support will be crucial. With the bank's financing, Rwanda is on track to meet its goal of providing every citizen with access to clean water by 2024, as set out in the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

Munyaneza expressed gratitude for the collaboration with AfDB and optimism about the country meeting its water distribution targets. 'AfDB has been a very key partner, and through its continued support and collaboration in financing water and sanitation projects, we are confident we will achieve the government target of water access for all Rwandans by 2029, as outlined in the NST2,' he said.

With a strong commitment to building on these successes, the future looks bright for Rwanda as it continues to make clean water and sanitation a reality for all its citizens.