Rwanda: Women-Led Households in 10 Districts Receive Free Electricity

The Rwanda Energy Group (REG), in collaboration with the German development agency GIZ, has successfully provided free electricity to 2,750 households, primarily led by women, as well as other low-income families across 10 districts nationwide.

The beneficiaries received free installations, including light fixtures, wiring, and the full connection of electricity to their homes. They all expressed joy at the transformative impact this access has had on their daily lives.

The distribution of these families fall in the districts of Rwamagana (182), Musanze (339), Rubavu (273), Nyaruguru (419), Nyamagabe (142), Kayonza (200), Bugesera (163), Muhanga (483), Ruhango (413), and Kamonyi (136). Of the total 2,750 households, 1,654 are led by women.

When REG and GIZ team visited residents of the model village of Kamamana in Kaduha cell, Munyaga sector, Rwamagana district, they expressed their excitement about moving from darkness into a new era of development, thanks to electricity.

Muhimakazi Beatrice said, “When I first saw electricity, I stayed awake whole night thinking about it. The next day, I bought a television and installed it immediately. Before having electricity, we were isolated and often not happy, but now we are joyful. We can watch television, use phones, and enjoy the benefits of modern life, all thanks to our government. We have truly progressed.”

Similarly, Musabwamana Beatrice noted, “Before electricity, life was difficult. After receiving it, we have seen significant improvements. We can listen to the radio at night and stay informed about our country and global news. In the future, we plan to use electricity for small businesses, like selling milk, and to support our children’s education.”

Olivier Ayubusa Turikumana, Project Manager at REG’s subsidiary EDCL, explained that the project specifically targeted low-income households, particularly those located along existing electricity lines but previously unable to afford connection costs.

He stated, “The uniqueness of this project is that we provided cash power and free installation to these households. Many could not afford between 50,000 and 100,000 RWF for an electricity connection and related materials like lights. By covering these costs, we enabled them to develop and improve their livelihoods.”

He added that discussions are ongoing to extend electricity access to the remaining households that have not yet been connected. The project started in December 2024 and concluded in June 2025.

Dorothée Merkl, Project Coordinator and Energy Advisor at GIZ’s Energizing Development (EnDev) program, noted that further talks with REG are underway to see how more households can be connected under the same arrangement that targets low income households.

“We are very pleased with the results of this project, which has provided electricity to 1,654 women-led households and lifted them out of isolation. We are now in discussions with REG to secure an additional €100,000 in support, which would help bring electricity to at least 6,700 more households,” she said.

REG reports that this project is valued at approximately €350,000 (nearly 600 million Rwandan francs) and has already reached 85% of the population. The utility’s long-term goal is to achieve 100% electricity coverage nationwide within the next five years.