Kigali, 5th April, 2017-The Ministry of Infrastructure developed Rural Electrification Strategy that was approved by Cabinet in April, 2016 with key underlying principle of Government in partnership with private sector to establish a mechanism to allow households access modern energy services through a solar system and continues to roll out the electricity network focusing on connecting high consumption users.

The first stage of off-grid development is underway with more than 18 companies licensed to connect 530,000 households leading to 22% off grid access by June 2018.

An awareness campaign was launched to accelerate both on grid and off grid connections countrywide with a target to achieve universal access by 2020. This will be done by connecting households within a range of 37 meters from the grid and installing solar home systems to households far from the grid.

The Government of Rwanda recognises the vital role that electricity access plays in accelerating economic development through improving health and standards of living. Energy and particularly access to electricity is the Government’s key priority. This is why significant

Investments have been made and progress registered led to over 24% of households getting access to electricity. More efforts are being put to achieve the set targets of 70% by 2017/18 and 100% by 2020.

The four distinct programmes in the strategy include; the provision of basic solar systems as a basic necessity to the less privileged population under Ubudehe; the establishment of a risk

mitigation facility that will support the private sector, mechanisms that will increase, the development of mini-grids in suitable locations and the continued rollout of the Electricity Access Rollout Programme (EARP).

The Government will work with the private sector in implementing this Strategy. Particular focus will be on increasing competition within private sector which will lead to reduced costs and improved choice of technologies on the market. The Government focuses on supporting private companies to have access to different mechanisms and protecting consumers through establishing standards and carrying out awareness campaign