15
Aug

During the last year (2018/19), out of a target of 2000 new connections, a total of 2733 households were connected to the national grid in Mukama, Mimuri and Karangazi Sectors of Nyagatare District out of a target of 2000 that Rwanda Energy Group had set for this financial year.

This number adds on the other 5 396 which were given solar home systems in the District. This has increased the percentage of households which have access to electricity from 47% in 2018 to 50.3 today. 

Among the households recently connected to the grid, include those connected to the new line constructed under the project supported by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). 

Residents of Tabagwe Sector who recently got access to on-grid electricity say that they see new opportunities in this development. 

Uwimana Pascasie lives in Agafaru center. She says that she used to travel a one hour distance to get her crops milled. Now, she will get the services in the center. 

“Welders are here, milling machines and even photocopiers. We used to go to Nyagatare to access all those services.” She said. 

Kamana John who also lives in Agafaru Center, says that before getting electricity, he had no job and he used to wake up early morning and go to Nyagatare town to look for a job. Now, he has a welding workshop and has created his own job thanks to electricity. 

“I was born here in Tabagwe. Going to Nyagatare to work was hard for me and I couldn’t earn much. Now, thanks to electricity, I earn much more as I am home and live is less expensive than in the town.” he said. 

Other electrification projects are ongoing and will soon connect 3,236 households to the grid during the current year.