REPUBLIC OF RWANDAMINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Russia, 23 October, 2019: Minister of Infrastructure Honorable Claver Gatete participated in a high level panel discussion on the contribution of nuclear technologies in the development of Africa as part of the Russia-Africa Summit 2019 taking place in Sochi.

On the sidelines of Russia-Africa Economic Summit in Sochi, Rwandan Minister of infrastructure and his counterpart will sign an inter-governmental cooperation agreement (IGA) between Government of Rwanda (GoR) and Russian Federation (RF) on the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The primary objective is construction of Nuclear Science and Technology Hub and the ultimate goal is to promote scientific research and advance skills in the use of nuclear energy especially to the Rwandan youth.

Minister Claver Gatete during the panel discussion, emphasized on the contribution of nuclear technologies towards improving Rwanda’s socioeconomic development. The initiative will further facilitate in exploring the possibilities presented by nuclear technologies to address existing energy challenges in Africa. The signed agreement is the roadmap that will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries and unlock investment opportunities in other sector including agriculture, industry, health among others.

Other aspects of nuclear energy that were tackled during the panel discussion include the first step that should be made in order to promote nuclear technologies in Africa, the use of nuclear technologies in the energy sector in the implementation of the ambitious developmental plans for the region, opportunities open for African countries after the implementation of nuclear technologies and the approach to the implementation of national nuclear programmes in effective manner for the newcomer countries.

On Rwanda’s perspective, nuclear science and technology is among the strategies to achieve UN SDGs and also an engine to drive Rwanda to become a High Income Country by 2050.

Kigali, 2^nd September 2019- The Government of Rwanda and the World Bank today signed a US$125 million (approximately Frw 112 billion) credit agreement to enable expansion of electricity services in Rwanda.

The new Rwanda Energy Development Policy Operation (DPO) is the third and last of a $375 million programmatic series, the first of which was approved in December 2017. The series support Rwanda’s energy sector objectives under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) – including universal access to electricity by 2024 while balancing the trade-offs with fiscal and financial sustainability.This DPO will build on achievements of the previous Development Policy Operations.

Speaking at the Signing, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said: “The support through Development Series Operation has significantly contributed to implementation of energy sector development strategy in Rwanda with the aim of having 100% electricity access by 2024 as stipulated in our National Strategy for Transformation”.

By end-2020, at the end of the DPO series, it is expected that Rwanda will have electrified 61 percent of its households, narrowed the gap in electricity access between female- and male-headed households, and be on track to achieve the National Strategy for Transformation objective of universal access to electricity by 2024. It is also expected that Rwanda will have modernized the operations of the Rwanda Energy Group and the Government’s planning and decision making processes, and that fiscal transfers to the sector be contained at no more than 1.5 percent of GDP throughout the NST1 period.

“The previous Development Policy Operation series have already delivered substantial results. So far, new connections completed per year have doubled, while total access increased from 41 percent in late 2017 to over 52 percent today, and over a million people have gained access to electricity. This puts Rwanda on the forefront globally of achieving SDG7 of universal access to electricity.” Said Yasser El-Gammal, World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda.

The World Bank cooperates with Rwanda in sectors such as Agriculture, Energy, Social Protection, Education/Skills development, Transport, Urban development and Housing among others alongside other cross-cutting and regional projects interventions.

Kigali, 22 July 2019: Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Claver Gatete officiated the opening of Capacity Building Workshop on the Institutional and Regulatory Texts of the Yamoussoukro Decision taking place at Kigali Convention Centre from 22 – 24 July, 2019

The workshop was organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) in a view of elaborating the adopted regulations on the Powers and Functions of the Executing Agency, Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations.

It brings together senior aviation officials, airlines officials and experts responsible for air transport regulations as well as Regional Economic Communities (RECs) level which include COMESA, EAC, IGAD and SADC.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop, Minister Claver Gatete expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the workshop that came as an opportunity for the aviation stakeholders to discuss and share knowledge on the content of the regulatory text on Yamoussoukro Decision (YD).

 Minister Gatete said that “The benefits of air transport liberalization from YD implementation cannot be overemphasized due to the economic potential and opportunities that air connectivity brings about”, he emphasized. 

He emphasized that Rwanda supports YD/SAATM, and has taken various strides to liberalize its air space and he lastly pointed that the government of Rwanda will continue working with the rest of African countries towards the objective of liberalizing air transport on the continent.

This workshop is expected to raise awareness on YD and make the remaining states in Africa commit to the implementation YD/SAATM.