According to a statement from the Office of the President, the two leaders discussed ongoing cooperation and the future of Rwanda's collaboration with the Bank, ahead of Dr. Tah's official assumption of office in September.
Dr. Tah, a former Mauritanian finance minister, was elected in May to lead the AfDB, succeeding Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina, whose ten-year tenure concludes later this year.
He secured more than three-quarters of shareholder votes in a tightly contested election, beating four other candidates, including Senegal's Amadou Hott and South Africa's Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala.
He is expected to formally begin his term on September 1, taking charge of an institution that has played an increasingly pivotal role in Rwanda's infrastructure and energy development.
The African Development Bank has, in recent years, scaled up its support to Rwanda, financing major infrastructure and energy initiatives aligned with the country's Vision 2050.
In July, the Bank approved over €173 million (approximately Frw 288 billion) to support the government's Energy Sector Result-Based Financing (RBF II) program.
The initiative seeks to modernise the electricity grid, expand access to clean energy, and strengthen institutional capacity. An additional €86 million in co-financing will come from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), raising the total project envelope to more than €260 million.
The program is expected to connect 200,000 households to the national grid, provide 50,000 off-grid electricity connections, and distribute clean cooking devices to 100,000 households and hundreds of public institutions. Street lighting is also planned across 200 kilometres of roads in Rwanda's secondary cities.
The energy initiative builds on a $305 million program launched by the Bank in 2018 and forms part of AfDB's High-5 priorities, particularly "Light Up and Power Africa" and "Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa."
In June, the AfDB also approved a $500,000 grant to fund a feasibility study for Kigali's proposed urban cable car system, which aims to become the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.
The 5.5-kilometre aerial transit line is expected to ease traffic congestion in the capital, cut carbon emissions, and provide fast, affordable mobility options to tens of thousands of commuters daily.
The project, valued at $100 million, will link major transport corridors, including Nyabugogo Taxi Park, the Central Business District, the Kigali Convention Centre, and key sports and entertainment venues. Construction is set to begin in late 2026, with commissioning expected in 2028.
The initiative is aligned with Rwanda's Green Taxonomy, E-Mobility Strategy, and its Climate and Nature Finance Strategy. The project also supports the country's goal to reduce carbon emissions by 38% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
AfDB officials have praised the project as a model for green and inclusive public transport systems across Africa.
Thursday's meeting comes as Rwanda prepares for a new phase in its partnership with the AfDB under Dr. Tah's leadership. His visit to Kigali, ahead of his swearing-in, is seen as a signal of continued collaboration and mutual confidence.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
