Tokyo, Japan, 08 January 2019: Following their bilateral discussions as part of his 2-day official visit to Japan, the President of the Republic of Rwanda HE. Paul Kagame and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe witnessed the signing of a bilateral agreement on Nzove-Ntora Water Project.

The Nzove-Ntora Water Principal Pipeline in Rwanda’s capital Kigali will be constructed through a 3,191,000,000 Japanese Yen ($29,450,324.18) grant by Japan.

President Kagame hailed the ongoing partnership between Rwanda and Japan.

The President highlighted key areas such as agriculture, ICT, infrastructure and human capacity development, among others.

President Kagame paid tribute to Japan’s hand in the current transformation of transport system in the city.

“I wish to thank you for Japan’s support to the Kigali Urban Transport Improvement Plan. As Rwanda’s population grows and becomes more urbanized, we are keen to learn from Japan’s longstanding expertise and experience in city planning and urban transport,” Kagame told Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Currently, transport system in the city of Kigali has attracted several accolades – with the recent installation of high-speed internet in public buses, among several other smart transport initiatives.

“Rwanda very much appreciates the ongoing development cooperation with Japan. We have productive partnerships in many areas, including in agriculture, ICT, and infrastructure.

I also want to thank you for Japan’s contribution to Rwanda’s human capacity development, through the Africa Business Education Initiative, which is benefitting young Rwandans,” President Kagame added.

The Nzove-Ntora Water project is intended to cut down on the water distribution deficit especially in the capital Kigali.

Aime Muzola – the Chief Executive Officer of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) said that the project is a transmission pipe of 900 diameters for Nzove water evacuation.

“Japan will finance construction.

 Detailed design starts next month (February) and construction will start around August this year,” he said.

Under the current fiscal year, government seeks to increase water production from 50,079,512 m3 to 55,679,512m3 annually effective this fiscal year.