Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia, Joseph Nzabamwita, has highlighted the country’s impressive strides in energy development, calling for enhanced cooperation between Rwanda and Russia to strengthen energy generation and sustainability.
Speaking during an interview with Maxim Zakharov as part of the Russian Energy Week, Ambassador Nzabamwita shared Rwanda’s transformative journey in expanding access to electricity and investing in renewable energy.“Rwanda has moved from just 6% of the population having access to electricity in 2009 to 84.6% today,” Nzabamwita said. “This is a remarkable achievement, but we still have more work to do to realize our national aspirations.”
A Focus on Renewable Energy
Rwanda’s Vision 2050 sets an ambitious target to ensure that at least 50% of the country’s electricity comes from renewable sources. The government views renewable energy such as solar, hydro, and biogas as a cost-effective and sustainable path to national electrification.
Nzabamwita noted that this progress has been achieved through innovation, sound policies, and strong partnerships. He emphasized that expanding renewable energy remains central to Rwanda’s strategy for sustainable growth and environmental protection. “Rwanda’s success in electrification is not accidental,” he remarked. “It is the result of deliberate planning, innovation, and collaboration with partners who share our vision for clean and accessible energy.”
Deepening Rwanda Russia Cooperation
Ambassador Nzabamwita underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Rwanda and Russia, particularly in the energy and education sectors. He recalled the 2018 agreement between the two nations on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, aimed at exploring safe and efficient ways to diversify Rwanda’s energy mix. “There is much Rwanda can learn from Russia,” he explained. “Russia has decades of experience in energy production, and as a developing country, Rwanda can benefit immensely from that expertise to meet its growing energy demands.”
Beyond energy, the envoy pointed out that Rwanda–Russia relations have expanded into academic and cultural exchange. Increasing numbers of Rwandan students are pursuing higher education in Russia, while Russian scholars and students are visiting Rwanda for research and study programs. “The educational linkages between our countries are growing stronger,” Nzabamwita added. “For instance, St. Petersburg State University has introduced courses in Kinyarwanda and Swahili an encouraging sign of our deepening cultural and linguistic ties.”
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Growth
Ambassador Nzabamwita reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to building an inclusive, sustainable, and reliable energy system that aligns with the country’s long-term development goals. He stressed that collaboration with global partners such as Russia is essential for knowledge transfer, technological advancement, and investment in clean energy.
Rwanda’s continued focus on expanding access to electricity particularly through renewable sources remains a cornerstone of its broader mission to achieve universal electrification and sustainable economic transformation by 2050.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
