Rwanda Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in rwanda, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Energy
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Overview

As of mid-2025, about 85% of Rwandan households have access to electricity, including 60% connected to the national grid and approximately 25% accessing power through off-grid systems, mainly solar home systems and mini-grids. Urban electricity access is nearly universal, while rural areas have seen steady improvements in access (REG).

Rwanda is positioning itself as a services hub for east and central Africa by signing numerous Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to increase generation capacity. The Rwandan government is focusing on increasing access, stimulating demand, and upgrading transmission infrastructure, and integrating with regional power networks for import and export.

Rwanda is now focusing on achieving universal access by 2030 alongside new reliability and quality targets.  Grid efficiency improvements include reducing system losses and increasing reliability.

Several U.S.-owned firms operate in Rwanda’s energy sector across methane, micro-hydro, off-grid solar, and mini-grid segments. There are many opportunities for firms providing innovative and affordable transmission and distribution systems and equipment. Several U.S. companies have introduced electric motorcycles to the Rwandan market. Rwanda has an estimated 100,000 gas powered- motorcycle taxis in Rwanda.

For more information on energy in Rwanda, please visit the websites of Rwanda Ministry of Infrastructure, RDB, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority, Rwanda Energy Group, and Energy Private Developers.

Leading Sub-sectors

•    Electricity access: on-grid expansion alongside off-grid penetration through solar home systems and mini-grids.
•    Electricity transmission and distribution: modernization and extension of electrical grid for improved reliability and efficiency.
•    Regional electricity system integration: development of cross-border interconnections enabling power trading with neighboring countries.
•    Power sector policy development and planning: frameworks driving sustainable growth and sector governance.
•    Institutional capacity building: enhancing technical capabilities and operational efficiency in energy institutions.

Opportunities

•    Power transmission and distribution equipment and services to support grid expansion.
•    Off-grid energy solutions, including rooftop solar products and solar powered irrigation, and mini-grids.
•    Technical assistance for energy sector planning, regulatory compliance, and capacity development.

Source:

•    National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) Seasonal Agricultural Survey 2025
•    Rwanda Energy Group (REG) energy access reports
•    Rwanda Ministry of Infrastructure
•    Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA)
•    World Bank Development Indicators on Rwanda electricity access 2025

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