23
Mar

Kigali, 23 March 2026 – Rwanda Energy Group hosted a delegation of 39 students and university officials from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) at its headquarters in Kigali, marking an important milestone in strengthening academic–industry collaboration.

The delegation was led by Michael Oxman, Managing Director of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business, and was received by Felix Gakuba, Managing Director of Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL), alongside senior REG officials.

Discussions focused on deepening existing collaboration and identifying research-driven solutions to address REG’s operational challenges. This partnership bridges academic expertise with real-world energy needs, offering students practical experience while supporting Rwanda’s energy development agenda.

As part of this collaboration, 12 MBA students are currently working on projects aligned with REG’s strategic priorities. These include developing a business model for Energy Storage as a Service (ESAAS), integrating energy storage with electric vehicle charging infrastructure to enhance grid stability and support cleaner transport.

Another project focuses on energy-efficient cooling for agriculture, with a policy paper aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving food preservation through sustainable technologies. A third team is designing an e-cooking promotion strategy to accelerate the adoption of electric cooking solutions, contributing to REG’s target of increasing access to clean cooking for households by 2034.

This collaboration highlights the value of international partnerships in addressing development challenges. While students gain hands-on global experience, REG benefits from innovative ideas, research insights, and a dynamic talent pool to advance energy efficiency and sustainability.

As Rwanda’s national utility responsible for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, REG continues to leverage research and innovation to expand energy access and improve service delivery. Likewise, the Georgia Institute of Technology remains globally recognized for its practical, solution-oriented approach to education, preparing students to tackle complex global challenges.