The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a $22.3 million grant agreement with the Rwandan government. The funding is for the implementation of the Water Supply Services Improvement Project in the north-eastern area of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
Rwanda is receiving new funding to strengthen the provision of safe drinking water to its people. The $22.3 million grant is from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the implementation of the Kigali City North East Water Supply Improvement Project.
The Rwandan authorities will use the funding to build a new 64 km water distribution network in the city of Kigali. The funds will also be used to connect 70 km of households to the water network, to build pressure relief equipment, and to construct a 500 m3 elevated water tank in Kagugu, a locality in Kigali.
Delivery of the facilities in 2026
A second reservoir, with a capacity of 1,000 m3, will be built to store groundwater in the locality of Batsinda. “Once completed, the upgraded water supply system will improve service to households and create additional water supply opportunities for new customers,” says the Rwandan Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. The future facilities will be delivered in April 2026, from the start date of the works.
This is one of the priority projects in the Water Supply Master Plan for Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, to meet the growing demand of the population. The project is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Rwandan government’s goal of achieving universal coverage by 2024.
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To achieve its vision, Rwanda will build new drinking water plants. For example, eight plants will be built in the near future in the rural localities of Ngororero, Igihira, Mwoya, Muhazi, and Ngoma in Nyagatare district. “These facilities will increase our current position in achieving universal access to water by at least 20%,” says Gisèle Umuhumuza, acting CEO of the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), who was also present at the signing of the funding agreement.
Inès Magoum
