Scoping mission on water in rwanda - Partners voor Water

SCOPING MISSION ON WATER IN RWANDA 

The Rwandan Water Scan 

Draft report 

For Embassy of Kingdom of the Netherlands in Rwanda 

Mission period: 10-16 August 2011 

by 

Dr. Kees van ‘t Klooster, WUR, Wageningen 

Mr. Jo Smet, IRC, The Hague 

Mrs Liliane Kente, local consultant

<strong>Scoping</strong> Mission on Rwanda for Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kigali 

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Contents 

Abbreviations 

iv 

Executive Summary 1 

1.Rwanda 3 

2.Present situation in water sector 4 

3.Challenges in the water sector 18 

4.Rwandan demands for water resources and water development 20 

5.Indicative framework for Rwandan Netherlands cooperation 24 

References 27 

Annex 1. Terms of Reference 28 

Annex 2. Programme of the <strong>mission</strong> 31 

Annex 3. Contact Details of Persons 33 

Annex 4. Targets Economic Development and Poverty Reduction 36 

Strategy 2012 

Annex 5. Institutional Framework of IWRM 37 

Annex 6. Division of Labour 39 

Annex 7. Report on meetings held with institutional representation on the water 40 

scoping <strong>mission</strong> in Rwanda 

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Abbreviations 

ABAKIR Autorité du Bassin du Lac Kivu et de la Rivière RUSIZI 

ACMAD African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development 

AMCEN African Ministerial Conference on the Environment 

AMCOW African Ministers’ Council on Water 

CDCs 

Community Development Committee 

CDKN Climate and Development Knowledge Network 

DDP 

District Development Plans 

DRR 

Disaster Risk Reduction 

DNA 

Designation National Authority 

EAC 

East African Community 

EDPRS Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 

EIA 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

EWS 

Early Warning System 

EWSA Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority 

FSF 

Fast Start Funding 

GDP 

Gross Domestic Product 

GHG 

Greenhouse gas 

GIS 

Geographic Information System 

GoR 

Government of Rwanda 

ICT 

Information and Communications Technology 

IDP 

Integrated Development Programme 

IPCC 

Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change 

IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management 

JADF 

Joint Action Development Forum 

KIST 

Kigali Institute for Science and Technology 

MDG 

Millennium Development Goals 

MIDIMAR Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs 

MIGEPROF Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion 

MINAGRI Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources 

MINALOC Ministry of Local Government and Social Affaires 

MINEDUC Ministry of Education 

MINEDUC STR Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Research 

MINECOFIN Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning 

MINICOM Ministry of Trade and Industry 

MININFRA Ministry of Infrastructure 

MINIRENA Ministry of Natural Resources 

MOH 

Ministry of Health 

MRV 

Measurable, Reportable and Verifiable 

NAMA Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions 

NAPA National Programme of Action 

NCCR National Climate Change Centre of Rwanda 

NIE 

National Implementing Entity 

NISR 

National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda 

NLUDMP National Land Use and Development Master Plan 

NUR 

National University of Rwanda 

PEI 

Poverty Environment Initiative 

PES 

Payment for Ecosystem Services 

PSF 

Private Sector Federation 

RDB 

Rwanda Development Board 

REMA Rwanda Environmental Management Authority 

RHA 

Rwanda Housing Authority 

RRA 

Rwanda Revenue Authority 

RMS 

Rwanda Meteorological Service 

RNRA Rwanda National Resources Authority 

RTDA Rwandan Transport Development Agency 

RURA Rwanda Utility Regulatory Agency 

SEZ 

Special Economic Zone 

SMEs Small and Medium Enterprises 

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SNC 

SWAp 

Second National Communication 

Sector Wide Approach 

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Executive Summary 

To assess opportunities for Netherlands’ support in the water sector of Rwanda including the wider regional 

context, the situation and expresses demands by key Rwandan organisations, the following general findings 

were formulated. 

General findings: 

1. Rwanda has a strong institutional and policy framework: good division between ministries and 

authorities; well-established national level with capable and motivated staff, eager for effective 

innovation; decentralized level has weak capacities in government and private sector; strong and 

motivating national leadership; good governance; low corruption. 

2. Small, high-density country; goal to become mid-income country by 2020; needs to change from 

small-scale agricultural society to a society with a large area of efficient irrigated agriculture to 

ensure food security and to transform from an agriculture-based society (90% of people in 

agriculture) to a more industrial and service oriented society (50% in agriculture) 

3. Water Resources Management (WRM) affects many economic activities, and vice-versa: Agriculture 

(water, fertilizers, pesticides), Energy (hydro-power), Industry and Mines (water, pollution), 

Domestic needs (water supply and sanitation), Environment (water for ecosystems and 

biodiversity). 

4. Nearly all Rwandan waters are trans-boundary: need to negotiate with riparian states in two major 

basins (Nile and Congo). 

5. Cross-sectoral issues have strong relations with WRM: gender; mitigation and adaptation to climate 

change; equity; inclusiveness; capacity development for change; technology transfers. 

Prioritized Rwandan demands for support in water and preliminary conclusions: 

Priority Details Components 

(indicative) 

Rwandan 

partners 

Potential Dutch 

partners 

Water Resource 

Management 

• New institution 

• Final policy and 

strategy 

• Hardly capacity 

• No implementation 

plan 

• -Instit. Building at 

central and decentral 

level 

• Cap. Develop national 

and local 

• Water governance 

MINIRENA 

MINALOC 

Water Boards 


Union of Water 

Boards 

Monitoring 

• Infrastructure ((sub-) 

basin) rules 

• WRM appreciated 

• Regulate and enforce 

• Environmental 

balance 

• very rudimentary 

monitoring of 

quantities and quality 

of water (rain) and 

sediment. 

• Water Quality 

monitoring 

• Infrastructure needed. 

• Evidence based 

advocacy 

• Institutional building 

• River gauging network 

to be completed. 

• Water Quality 


infrastructure to be 

implemented 

• Sediment network 

• Meteo network 

MINIRENA 

NGO’s 

NRA, REMA 

REMA 

NL Capacity Builders 

(Universities, IHE, 

etc.) 


NGOs (SNV; IRC) 

Waterdienst, Water 

Boards 

Water Boards, 

Capacity builders 

Waterdienst 

Meteo institutions, 

Universities, 

Consultants 

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Trans-boundary 

Water for Food 

Water supply 

and 

Sanitation 

• Data centre needed 

NBI facilitates Kagera 

policy and plan 

development 

ABAKIR to start for 

Rusizi 

/Lake Kivu EU& Rwanda 

start for 2 years. Burundi 

and DRC need to come 

on 

board 

Numerous plans for 

drainage of marshlands 

and hillside irrigation. 

WRM often lacks multipurpose 

projects to 

be considered for rapid 

implementation 

• Outdated 

infrastructure 

• Limited Sewerage 

• Imidugudus to be 

developed 

• Contract management 

of districts needs 

strengthening 

• PPP management 

weak 

WRM requires 

monitoring Q&Q in both 

Nile and Congo basin 

Review and 


of current plans like 

Gashora marshlands. 

Make it integrated and 

use agricultural model to 

promote efficient 

production investments 

Look at buffer effects 

Look at nature effects 

Invest in irrigated agric 

• Infrastructure renewal 

• Expansion of 


• Cap. Development 

districts 

• Cap. Development PPP 

• Monitoring, dialogue 

and 

• learning 

REMA 

ABAKIR 

MINAGRI 

MINERENA 

REMA 

BPR 

Districts 

EWSA 

PPP 

Consultants (e.g. 

Future 

Water), Deltares, 

Universities, ISS 

Drainage institutions 

(Alterra-ILRI) 

Consultants in agric 

hydrology 

Deltares, WUR, 

consultants 

Organisations like 

DLG, 

Altena & Wymenaga, 

NIOO, Alterra 

Rabobank, FMO 

Consultants like DHV 

WETSUS, KWR, IRC, 

Private sector like 

PWN, Vitens/Evides. 

NGOs like SNV 

The Case for Rwanda: Why Rwanda must get Dutch support on WRM? 

• Rwanda has a strong Development Vision: Economy transition; poverty alleviation; middle 

income country 

• Densely populated, many people to feed 

• Trans-boundary waters: can support fragile states like Burundi and DRC 

• Riparian countries downstream would be affected if Rwanda starts polluting 

• Rwanda is exemplary for many Sub Sahara African countries; now also on WRM 

• Political and social stability 

• Long-term security of investment 

• High level of leadership 

• Results-oriented government, also at local level using annual performance contracts 

• Conducive private sector investment and business environment 

• Good rate of return and sustainable results for ODA investment 

• Good governance and low level of corruption 

• High level of accountability 

• Energetic, pro-active people including civil servants 

• The violent region cannot afford conflicts on water 

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1 Rwanda 

• Through the AgentschapNL of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I) and the 

Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), the EKN has requested a Water <strong>Scoping</strong> Mission to deliver inputs for 

the Multi-Annual Strategic Plan (MASP). The Terms of Reference for the team members of the <strong>mission</strong> are 

presented in Annex 1. The composition of the team was: 

Kees van ‘t Klooster 

Jo Smet 

Liliane Kente 

IWRM/ agricultural water management 

Water supply and sanitation/IWRM 

Local consultant 

• The team visited Rwanda from 9 until 16 August 2011 (Annex 2 for itinerary). The team worked closely with 

Mr. Jolke Oppewal and Mr. Gaspard Ndagijimana of the EKN, and their support was highly appreciated. The 

team had discussions with various water sector and non-sector persons (Annex 3 for list of people met). 

• Rwanda is found one of the success stories emerging from Africa in recent years. Long-term vision, strong 

leadership, political stability, good governance and economic growth have made it attractive to foreign 

investors and ecotourism has taken off. Agricultural production has doubled since 2007, improving food 

security, mining has been privatised and contributes 38% of export earnings, and industry and services are 

expanding, providing off-farm jobs for the growing population. Development is supported by 2,300km of fibre 

optic cables recently laid across the country and by an increasing access to electricity, now at 10.5%. Over 

95% of children enrolled in primary school in 2009. Six years after joining the East Africa Community, 

Rwanda is playing a leading and exemplary role in the region. 

• Rwanda has an ambitious Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) (2008-2012) that 

is steered by three ‘flagships’: (i) sustainable growth for jobs and exports; (ii) Vision 2020 with many propoor 

components in national growth agenda, and (iii) governance (e.g. low incidence of corruption) as the 

anchor for pro-poor growth. Vision 2020 aims to transform Rwanda from a subsistence agriculture economy 

to a knowledge-based society earning 900 USD per capita, making Rwanda a middle-income country by 2020. 

• The EDPRSP targets are given in Annex 4. Setting ambitious targets is one, Rwanda seems to succeed in 

achieving many. That makes Rwanda unique among African countries South of the Sahara. The majority of 

Government staff was said to be below 40 years with a high motivation and drive towards success in change 

and innovation in governance. 

• Rwanda is making serious efforts to changing from a purely agriculture-driven economy (in 2000: 90% of 

population was employed in agriculture) to a multiple-sector economy with more agro-processing, industrial 

development and service sector. Actually, Rwanda has no choice. It has the highest population density in 

Africa (408 persons/km 2 ). It is transiting a substantial portion of its land presently utilised for small-scale 

household-based farming into large-scale, modernised, mechanised farming. Rwanda is gradually increasing 

its present 17,000 ha of irrigated land to the 6-fold target of 100,000ha in 2017. It needs to feed its growing 

population, some 11 million in 2011, and annually increasing with some 2.8%. 

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2 Present situation in water sector 

2.1 Water sector in Rwanda 

2.1.1 IWRM 

• The importance of IWRM for Rwanda has been under-valued. Water development has been approached from 

a pragmatic, service-oriented more than from a sustainable development and utilisation of a finite resource 

perspective. Main water users such as agriculture, energy from hydro-power and water supply work nearly 

independently in their own domains without significant coordination with other sectors in using the same 

source. Each of these big water users has not taken the concerns of the other users seriously into account. 

Now as Rwanda has high targets to increase food production, to generate more energy and increase water 

consumption, these water-related sectors understand that they have to collaborate. The impression is that 

they major their own sectors over the others and do not fully appreciate the opportunities and risks for the 

source from their own and the other sectors’ side. The Rwandan Natural Resources Authority (2010) has 

now a directorate on water resources management that is taken up this coordination role of WRM and make 

that integrated in the development agenda of Rwanda, thereby supported by a very recent Policy and 

Strategic Plan, yet to be approved by the Cabinet. These two documents support the seriousness of the 

Government to address the fragility of water as a resource in a sustainable social and economic development, 

being reflected in the Vision 2020 and the EDPRSP 2008-12. Three key characteristics of WRM stand out: the 

wide spectrum of users, the water quality and water quantity. 

• IWRM from the perspective of the various main water user categories: 

(i) Households use small amounts of water and demand safe water for drinking and domestic purposes. 

They may also contaminate and pollute surface and groundwater through improper human waste handling. 

Rwanda’s population is relative large and growing at a relatively high rate of some 2.8 % per year. The future 

domestic requirements in water volume also resulting from an increasing consumption and in quality set 

criteria for raw water sources also in view of the limited feasible technological and financial conditions of the 

communities. 

(ii) Agriculture uses water from various sources: rain, lakes, rivers and ground. Marshland will 

increasingly be used for irrigation, which may – if not done in a balanced way – damage the ecological 

functions these wetlands have and cause serious problems including floods and drying-up of lakes, as 

experienced already 1 . The recognised need to steeply increase the irrigated land portion will demand for 

innovative technological water provision solutions if not to threaten the water demands by other users. 

Water use efficiency is very low, both in traditional agricultural and irrigation systems. Intensive agriculture 

has the potential risk to cause serious water pollution from intensive use of fertilisers and pesticides. 

Pastoralism is banned in Rwanda and livestock is only at the farms but still promoted. Fisheries development 

depends on lakes and rivers and is not viewed as a major economic development pillar. 

(iii) Electricity access is limited now but by 2020 some 35% of population will be connected (according to 

Vision 2020). Hydropower will be a major contributor to the power demand and impact on the water 

availability situation in the water basins. Planned large-scale methane gas exploration from lakes may have 

adverse effects on the lakes’ water quality. 

(iv) Industry both requires water and produces industrial effluents, which, if not treated adequately, may 

seriously pollute receiving surface water making these unfit for other uses and impacting on the ecology. 

Coffee is a growing industry; coffee processing is a serious water consumer and polluting activity that – at this 

moment - hardly includes wastewater treatment. The national investment policy is to attract industries and 

develop a service sector to support the economic development, also as by 2020 agriculture may only employ 

some 50% (2008: 90%) of the population. 

1 some lakes have also been restored such as Lake Cyohoha, Rugezi wetland supplying lakes Burera and Ruhondo 

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(v) Mining is important as employer and export earner (2008: 30%). Although the Policy on Mining 

promotes modern mining techniques, the practice shows serious pollution of water bodies resulting from 

outdated and inefficient practices. 

(vi) Forestry and agro-forestry has a two-fold purpose: ongoing agricultural transformation requires 

erosion control and increases land productivity, while from an ecological perspective it protects water 

catchments and biodiversity. 

(vii) Eco-tourism is one of the economic development spearheads of Rwanda, which will only succeed if 

the natural resources including water are well protected and are attractive for tourists. 

• Water governance in Rwanda is hardly practised; the multiple water interests are not effectively managed at 

national and decentralised level. Equitable and effective participation of the various stakeholders is still 

absent. Monitoring systems on use, water quality and quantity that should inform the management and 

decision-making process are limited. This information and documented experiences are also required for a 

reliable and effective water governance at local and national level. 

2.1.2 Trans-boundary water 

• Reports indicate that 75-90% of Rwanda’s waters are trans-boundary. Basically, there are two water major 

water basins: the Nile Basin and the Congo Basin, receiving 67% and 33% of the total water discharge 

respectively. Internationally shared waters are providing a natural way of fostering regional cooperation; 

common international governance of trans-boundary waters is well structured in organisations like the Nile 

Basin Initiative in which all riparian countries of the Nile are represented. The Economic Community of the 

Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) and the Lake Victoria Basin Committee (LVBC), and its Kagera Basin 

Management, appear to demonstrate, next to water, their political and socio-economic gains. 

• The Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) 2 has identified a number of projects for 

Rwanda to promote poverty alleviation, economic growth, and the reversal of environmental degradation in 

the sub-basin. The projects are grouped into two major areas: Natural Resources Management and the 

Environment and Hydropower Development and Trade, and target investments in agricultural development, 

fisheries development, water resources management, water hyacinth control, hydropower development and 

trans<strong>mission</strong> interconnection. 

• For transboundary water issues around Lake Kivu and the Rusizi River, where further development of a 

series of important hydro-power stations is planned, a Lake Kivu Water Basin Authority is in the process of 

being established. This authority (ABAKIR) is expected to create a constructive platform to discuss and agree 

on trans-boundary issues on the Lake Kivu Basin between DRC, Burundi and Rwanda. This is an important 

development as the hydropower potential of the Rusizi is seen as a major contributor to Rwandan energy 

needs. Only through intensive communication with riparian countries such a development can be realized 

timely and without creating causes for conflicts. 

2.1.3 Rural and Urban Water Supply and Sanitation 

• Rural and urban water supply/service The JMP 3 figures on use of improved drinking water sources for 

Rwanda show a remarkable picture. Where urban water supply had an access figure of 96% in 1990, it 

dropped to 77% in 2008, mainly due to the high influx of people to urban centres, while still 1.5 million 

people got new access to improved water sources. 

For rural water the figures are 66% in 1990 to 62% in 2008. The reliability of these urban and rural figures 

are doubted by all sector staff, as it may not incorporate the non-functionality of many systems, meaning that 

the actual effective access figures are lower A Management Information System is being established that will 

also provide more reliable information on actual access. Rwanda is not at all on track for the MDG target on 

access to improved water supply. The Energy, Water ad Sanitation Authority (EWSA) is managing all urban 

2 Nine countries participate in NELSAP: Burundi, D.R. Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda 

3 JMP is the Joint Monitoring Programme of WHO and UNICEF – Progress on sanitation and drinking water, 2010 Update 

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water services. EWSA constructs new rural water supply infrastructure. The Districts own the physical asset 

of the rural water supplies; management is done by so-called PPP, a private service provider contracted by 

the District. On the basis of previous experiences, it was concluded that water service management by 

community-based Water User Associations did not work satisfactorily; all or nearly all rural water service 

will be done through the PPP model. CBOs, contracted by the PPP, may have a role in final water supply 

distribution to users. 

• Rural and urban sanitation. The situation for sanitation is different and Rwanda is on track for the sanitation 

MDG, quite unique for Africa. The 2008 urban access to improved sanitation is 50% as compared to 35% in 

1990; and for rural these figures are 55% and 22% (JMP, 2008 figures). Urban sanitation is the most critical 

part due to high urbanisation and high population densities. At the recent AfricaSan-3 Conference 4 , the GoR 

made a commitment that before the end of 2012, there would be 100% coverage on rural improved 

sanitation. The much talked-about Open Defecation Free Villages movement is less an issue in Rwanda as 

98% of rural households has a basic sanitation facility. The sanitation and hygiene improvement approach by 

MINISANTE is implemented through the apparently successful Community Hygiene Clubs that address a 

spectrum of hygiene interventions and behaviours. 

2.1.4 Water for Agriculture (including livestock and fisheries) 

• The second Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA II) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal 

Resources, developed in line with the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) 

of AU-NEPAD, describes the need for rapid agricultural growth. The pressure from high population density 

has left virtually no potential land unoccupied for food production, except marshlands. Intensification and 

development of sustainable production systems are needed. The way to increase production addresses the 

need for rapid agricultural growth. Development of irrigation is seen as a key instrument to reach harvest 

security (sub programme 1.4 of PSTA II). 

• Irrigation potential in Rwanda is 590,000 ha. By mid 2011 some 17,000 ha is under irrigation. The Rwanda 

Irrigation Master Plan aims at realizing 100,000 ha under irrigation by 2017, including 65,000 ha of 

marshlands. This agricultural development will have an impact on the water resources sector in terms of 

quantities used. It also introduces a risk when inadequate legislation does not control negative effects of 

pesticides and nutrients on the quality of receiving surface waters. 

• Economic Growth in the Agricultural Sector has more effect on poverty reduction than the same level of 

growth driven by the non-agricultural sector. Among agricultural subsectors, growth driven by increased 

staple food production has the greatest poverty reduction effect. One Euro invested in agricultural staples 

generates 3.84 Euro of increased GDP, much higher then returns on investments in export crops. (IFPRI, 

2010). 

• Rwanda has banned pastoralism. Livestock is therefore confined to farms, making facilities for watering the 

animals that do not pollute water much easier and reducing the risk of contaminating water sources. 

2.1.5 Water for Energy 

• Rwanda’s electricity produced from hydropower is increasing from 69MW in 2009 to 130MW in 2012. Other 

big schemes under development include Rusumo Falls (90MW) and Rusizi 3 (147MW), while at a later stage 

Rusizi 4 could add almost another 300MW. Construction of Nyagorongo 1 is on-going, while the multipurpose 

Nyagorongo 2 would cater for water supply, energy supply and irrigation. 

• Since further development of the Rusizi potential has trans-boundary implications, a new basin management 

organization for Kivu and Rusizi has been set up in 2011 together with DRC and Burundi and is called 

ABAKIR (Autorité du Bassin du Lac Kivu et de la Rivière RUSIZI). 

4 AfricaSan-3 Conference was held in Kigali on 19-21 July 2011 

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• Further exploration of dozens of potential sites for small and large-scale multi-purpose dams is underway, 

e.g. the Tabu-Gakomere site. 

• For the long run Rwanda has also geothermal energy sources and hosts methane in Lake Kivu. Black Peat is 

available but produces GHG. Rwanda has access to the East Africa Power Pool, and is getting connected with 

Dutch support to the grid in DRC. In the future this may provide regional energy security and a low carbon 

energy mix to ten African countries. Although some work is being done on growing jatropha for biofuels near 

Akagera in eastern Rwanda, the limited land and growing population in Rwanda brings the use of land for 

biofuels crops into serious question. 

2.1.6 Water for Nature 

• No proper information on the water needs for Nature was made available. The drying up of Lake Cyohoha 

North underscores the need to maintain ecosystems. 

• In Rwanda six areas qualify for RAMSAR designation (RAMSAR is the Convention on Wetlands of 

International Importance) namely Rugezi Marsh (8,500 ha), Volcans National Park (15,000), Akagera 

National Park (100,000 ha), Nyabarongo wetlands (10,000 ha), Akanyaru wetlands (30,000 ha) and Nyungwe 

forest (90,000 ha), but have not been designated as such. Rwanda signed the RAMSAR convention in 2006. 

• The lack of IWRM implemented increases the risk of damage to ecosystems. The Water Resource 

Management Sub Sector Strategic Plan (2011-2015) states that a breakdown in the flow of environmental, 

productive, social and cultural services can be expected when water abstraction is too high. 

• Rwanda has over 200,000 ha of Marshlands. Next to their role in ecosystems, these are also providing 

important buffers in preventing floods and droughts and their negative impacts on ecosystems and 

production outside the Marshlands. 

2.1.7 Water and navigation 

• In the East African Transport corridors Lake Victoria is linking various ports in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. 

Rwanda has no direct access to Lake Victoria yet as the Akagera river is not yet navigatable. Feasibility 

studies are being conducted and assume transport volumes of approximately 1 million ton per year by 2020. 

More studies are needed to see if such a project would compete favourable to other options, including 

transport by rail, road and air. 

• For Lake Kivu a project is under development to link Rubavu, Nkora, Karongi, Mugonero, Kiramba, 

Nyamirundi and Rusizi with vessels carrying 120 passengers and 20 tons of cargo. The facilities will also be 

available for the tourist industry. 

2.2 Policy and institutional framework on water in Rwanda 

• The policy framework on water resources comprises that of four ministries: MINIRENA, MINAGRI, MININFRA 

and MINALOC. 

• The decentralisation is framed in a policy of 2000 and strategic framework of 2007. This defines the roles of 

the district and sub-district authorities. These authorities form the local institutional framework, which take 

on management functions on natural resources. 

• For legislation on the use, conservation, protection and management of water Law number 62/2008 was 

adopted in 2008. This law provides the institutional framework for: 

- coordination of water resource management 

- functions of districts and user organizations 

- enabling to charge for the use of water 

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• The institutional framework in Rwanda is recently redefined with clear roles and responsibilities. Ministries 

are primarily responsible for policy and strategic plan development, resource mobilisation, coordination, 

quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation and capacity building. MINIRENA has WRM, environment and 

lands, mines and forestry; MININFRA has urban and rural water supply, and urban sanitation; MINAGRIC has 

agricultural development including irrigation and drainage; and MINISANTE has health issues related to 

water. Agencies and authorities are responsible for resource mobilisation, allocations, implementation, 

management, provision of standards and guidelines, regulations and enforcement. Each ministry has one or 

more agencies and authorities. 

MINIRENA 

• For water resources the line ministry is the Ministry of Natural Resources or MINIRENA. This ministry 

includes next to water resources the areas of lands, environment, mining and forestry. MINIRENA has two 

agencies: Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) and Rwanda Natural Resources Authority 

(RNRA). The Rwanda Environmental Management Authority implements policies for MINIRENA, including 

water resource management. 

• More details on MINIRENA can be found on the website http://www.minirena.gov.rw/.. The relevant laws, 

policies and strategies of MINIRENA are listed in http://www.minirena.gov.rw/spip.php?rubrique16. The 

well-structured website gives a positive impression of the way the institution is developed and its 

seriousness towards its goals. 

Below some specifics are given on each of the five natural resources ‘sectors’. 

• Water Resources: in June 2011 a National Policy for Water Resources Management was published and now 

waiting for approval by the Cabinet. The policy recognizes that water is a finite source, that it is a human 

right to have access to water, the economic and social value of water, that management of water resources 

requires an integrated approach, participatory management, catchment-based management and transboundary 

aspects of water. At the same time, the Water Resources Management Strategic Plan (2011-2015) 

was produced supporting the implementation of the recent WRM policy, both documents are available online. 

The documents are useful and give relevant background and contextual descriptions, and guide the planning, 

implementation, regulation and monitoring. These documents will form the framework for the planned WRM 

Master Plan. 

• The Water Resources Management Strategic Plan (2011-2015) indicates the following required budget 

categories and amounts, totalling to USD 64.5 million for which GoR has allocated USD 11.6 million: 

• IWRM based effective water governing framework (7.5 mln USD) 

• Monitoring system for water resources (5 mln USD) 

• Rehabilitation and restoration of ecological functions (17.5 mln USD) 

• Water allocation and utilization framework (8.5 mln USD) 

• Management of shared waters (2.5 mln USD) 

• Capacity development (5.5. mln USD) 

• Water resources: MINIRENA needs to be more articulate in the field of IWRM in order to make a fair and 

equitable distribution of available water resources and balance strong claims from the Energy and the 

Agriculture sector within the total community of users of water. The water demands by the agricultural 

sector will rise, as well as the domestic water demand and also more agro-based processing industries are 

envisaged that demand but may also pollute waters if not properly treated before discharging. For instance, 

Coffee Washing Stations can create serious water quality challenges. 

• Lands: Land and water are closely related. Rwanda has developed a National Land Use Master Plan. This 

includes the development of imidugudus, resulting from a policy on clustered habitat. In the urban as well as 

rural areas, all new constructions are being compulsorily clustered on a plot located in a specific area 

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allocated for this purpose to allow for optimum land use. The Rwanda National Land Use Development 

master plan can be visualized as in figure 1. 

Figure 1. Rwanda National Land Use Development Master Plan. 

• Environment: According to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan many of the soils have 

been degraded due to high rainfall, uneven relief conducive to erosion and overfarming. More than half 

of the soils in Rwanda are, thus, unsuitable for intensive cropping. Best soils for agricultural purposes 

are found in parts of the Central Plateau, the Volcanic Region, Bugarama and part of the Mutara region. 

• Mining: The Mine and Geology Policy (MINIRENA, 2010) in Rwanda states that all mining and quarries 

potentialities in Rwanda will be identified and be made available to partners in the development of the 

sector. This will include valorisation of the metallic products by creation of processing facilities. The aim 

is also to diversify ores for exports other than those traditionally exploited and promote non-agriculture 

employment including for women and young people resulting in an estimated 50% of the active force 

working in the sector. The ambition is to have an export van 250mln US$ per annum by 2020. The 

ambition is to reduce the environmental impact (stop artisanal treatment in rivers). 

• Forestry: Reforestation is actively promoted in Rwanda, with the aim to reach 30% of land for forests in 

2020. This is mplemented through PAREF in 15 districts of Rwanda namely Gakenke, Gicumbi, Rulindo, 

Burera, Musane in Northern part of Rwanda, Bugesera, Kirehe, Ngoma in Eastern province, and Karongi, 

Nyabihu, Ngorrero, Nyamasheke, Rubavu, Rusizi and Rutsiro in Western province. Forestry is for 

providing most of the energy consumed by the bulk population, controlling soil erosion and protecting 

water catchments and suppying other goods and ecological services. 

MININFRA 

The sectoral mandate for the water supply sector is with the Ministry for Infrastructure (MININFRA). This 

ministry is responsible for urban and rural water supply, urban sanitation, and water and sewerage service 

management while the Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) is responsible for water resources 

Page 9


management. Next to water and sanitation, MININFRA is responsible for energy, roads, railways, waterways 

and airports. 

The ministerial mandate and direction on water and sanitation is given shape though Law n°43/2008 of 

09/09/2008 establishing the Rwanda Water and Sanitation Corporation (RWASCO). The main task of 

RWASCO is implementation of the National Policy & Strategy for Water Supply and Sanitation Services, 

(MININFRA, February 2010). Of the total government budget (1,116 billion RWF, equivalent to approx. USD 

1,274 million) 1.7% is allocated to the water sector. This mainly goes to MININFRA (±80%) leaving a smaller 

fraction for MINIRENA. 

The ministerial agency Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) implements the infrastructural works 

amongst others on water supply, urban sanitation and sewerage, and manages the urban services. The rural 

water services are the responsibility of the districts that also own the water supply assets, while the actual 

management of services is contracted to private service providers called PPPs and – in decreasing degree – 

community-based water management authorities (as these proved less effective and sustainable). 

MINAGRI 

The Agricultural Sector Investment Plan 2009-2012 of Rwanda anticipates an investment of 815 mln USD 

includes 41 mln USD for Marshland development and 131 mln USD for irrigation. GoR and Development 

Partners have committed themselves to some 60% of these investments. 

MINECOFIN 

Fund allocations to ministries and agencies/authorities are done directly from the MINECOFIN. Table 1 gives 

an indication of 2011-2012 national budget allocations. 

Table 1. Indicative national budget figures for WRM and water supply and urban sanitation (source: 

MINECOFIN, National Budget 2011/12 and MTEF) 

Sector in 10 9 RWFr in 10 6 EURO % of total 

Total budget 1,116 1.329 100.00 

MNIRENA Environment & climate management 2.216 2.638 0.20 

MINIRENA Sustainable Land management 3.599 4.285 0.32 

MINIRENA IWRM 1.205 1.435 0.11 

MINIRENA Forestry and Aforestation 4.28 5.095 0.38 

grant Reforestation (PAREEF) 2.88 3.429 0.26 

REMA Support NREP (Sida) 0.87 1.036 0.08 

REMA General budget support 2.216 2.638 0.20 

RNRA general budget support 3.598 4.283 0.32 

MININFRA Water supply & sanitation 17.694 21.064 1.59 

EWSA Water supply & sanitation 5.83 6.940 0.52 

Loans Water supply & sanitation 0.83 0.988 0.07 

Grants Water supply & sanitation 11.04 13.143 0.99 

MINISANTE Protection of Hygiene and Env. Health 0.248 0.295 0.02 

Page 10


Figure 2 gives the institutional framework for all WRM related institutions. Institutions have been 

categorised as per core function. Annex 5 gives a full overview of government institutions related to WRM. 

Policy and oversight institutions 

MINIRENA 

Ministry of Natural 

Resources 

MININFRA 

Ministry of 

Infrastructure 

MINISANTE 

Ministry of 

Health 

MINAGRI 

Ministry of Agriculture and 

Animal Resources 

MINALOC 

Ministry of Local 

Government 

MINECOFIN 

Financing Institutions 

Ministry of Finance, Planning 

and Economic Development 

Development 

Partners 

Regulatory 

RURA 

Rwanda 

Utilities 

Regulatory 

Authority 

Institutions 

REMA 

RURA 

Rwanda Environmental 

Management 

Rwanda 

Authority 

Utilities 

Regulatory 

Authority 

RNRA 

Rwanda 

Natural 

Resources 

Authority 

RBS 

Rwanda 

Bureau of 

Standards 

Management and Service Providing Institutions 

RDB 

Rwanda 

Development 

Board 

PPP 

User 

Commun 

ities 

NGOs 

Private 

Sector 

Districts 

EWSA 

Energy, Water and 


Authority 

Figure2. Institutional Framework in WRM in Rwanda 

• Within the government institutions visited, some remarkable features were observed and concluded. 

The institutes seem to be well structured, staff serious and performance and result-oriented. The 

education level and motivation of top civil servants – 80% is said to be below 40 years of age - is 

usually very high. The process time from proposals to action seems to be remarkably short, which 

reflects appreciation and subsequently enhances the work spirit and moral. From the discussions 

with civil servants and development partners during this short visit, the impression has been created 

that these young civil servants are committed and they have put their own and ministerial ambition 

level quite high. Probably their command of English and new approaches in management and 

content gave them advantages over older civil servants in the ‘new’ governments. 

• We can conclude that the four water-related ministries have quite recently developed policies and 

strategic frameworks that guide the planning, financing, implementation and regulation of the water 

resources and related sectors. 

2.3 Stakeholders spectrum in water 

SWAp and Division of Labour 

Page 11


• Rwanda wants Development Partners (DP) to adhere to the Division of Labour (DoL). The Dutch 

Government is currently supporting Energy (Interconnection in electricity grid between DRC and 

Rwanda), Decentralization (feeder roads, access to electricity) and Justice, Reconciliation, Law & 

Order. For this last theme, the Dutch Government is the lead DP. 

• WRM in MINIRENA and RNRA is not supported by any DP, it is also a new authority; REMA is 

supported by Sida (about €1.2m/y). Actually, WRM and Trans-boundary waters are not included in 

the DoL. Furthermore, there is no functional Sub-sector Working Group on WRM yet. 

• Trans-boundary waters have international dimensions: ABAKIR (management authority for hydropower 

in Kivu Basin and Rusizi river as part of Congo basin) is being constructed with support from 

EC. NBI related activities receive external funding, most of that does not go through MINECOFIN. 

• Urban and rural water and sanitation are now supported by Japan (JICA; in Eastern Province), by 

African Development Bank (four other provinces), and by UNICEF. Rwanda wants the EC to leave 

this sector in SWAp. The AfDB is assisted in the Northern Province by UNICEF. DGIS is the main 

financing partner in the UNICEF rural WASH project. The EC through the EUWF supports three 

projects including one with joint EUWF-BTC funding. The Austrian contribution is limited. It covers a 

water and sanitation project of EUR 2.2 million, which is being implemented jointly by the Austrian 

Development Agency, the European Com<strong>mission</strong> and the Rwandan government. Austria has no 

Embassy in Rwanda. 

• In the Water Sector all development partners focus on water and sanitation. With the current 

programmes Rwanda is lagging behind in meeting the MDG for water supply. No Development 

Partners are covering Water Management in the Division of Labour. 

• MINAGRIC works with a number of DP’s, including WORLD BANK, FAO, IFAD, BTC/CTB, USAID, JICA, 

DFID, BAD, EU, WFP, UNDP, CIDA, GTZ and others. Within its regional programme the Netherlands 

focuses on issues related to energy and climate. Part of the investments will be channelled to regional 

energy issues, including the rehabilitation of the Rusizi hydro power plant and the construction of 

interconnections in the region. The Dutch cooperation with Rwanda includes co-financing the roll out 

of the national energy plan and by investing in reforestation on government-owned land. 

• Several DPs indicated that they would welcome the Dutch as lead DP in WRM. One DP went that far 

by stating that the Dutch could leave agricultural projects to other DPs and focus most on WRM. 

• The current Division of Labour is attached as Annex 6. 

• Several Development Partners do not work within the SWAp-Division of Labour structure and follow 

a project approach. This applies, for instance, for USAID, NGOs as the SNV, World Vision 

International (WVI), Water-for-People, PROTOS, etc. PROTOS supports Rwanda on IWRM through 

water basin studies, developments, and institution and capacity building. WVI, Water-for-People and 

USAID have substantial area-focused programmes with implementing and activities oriented 

towards innovation on water service management, multiple use water systems (domestic and 

income generating water uses) and various capacity development initiatives that may have a bearing 

beyond the focus areas these NGOs are working in. Particularly Water-for-People and the USAIDsupported 

programme Rwanda Integrated Water Security Program (RIWSP) 5 are innovative, 

experimenting new approaches (e.g. Multiple Use Systems) and water service management systems. 

RIWSP is a 5-year programme of some 21 millions US$. 

• SNV works as a sole capacity builder. SNV Rwanda focuses on WASH as one of their main sectors, 

and they work in selected districts. SNV initiated the multi-stakeholder learning fora on WASH that 

address areas needing attention for sector performance improvement. SNV can also build on 

experience gained in other countries. SNV Rwanda has started some activities in IWRM recognising 

the role of IWRM towards sustainable development. 

5 The main objective of the RIWSP is to improve the sustainable management of water quantity and quality to positively 

impact human health, food security, and resiliency to climate change for vulnerable populations in targeted catchments of 

Rwanda. 

Page 12


2.4 Cross cutting issues – situation and challenges 

Climate change and Environment 

The draft National Strategy for Climate Change and Low Carbon Development (G0R, 2011) states the 

following: 

• Rwanda has the highest population density in Africa. Rwanda’s future socio-economic development 

is uncertain as its population grows and the climate changes, causing pressure on land, water, food 

and energy resources. Coupled with oil price spikes and population growth, climate change could 

reverse many of the development gains achieved. 

• As pressure on the land increases, urbanisation will increase and urban centres will expand. There is 

a risk of urban slums developing and creating associated health and social problems. Job creation, 

female education, health care and social protection are all needed to address population growth, 

while urban areas need to be designed as high density and resource efficient that can support a 

growing skilled workforce. 

• Rwanda is currently highly vulnerable to climate change as it is strongly reliant on rain-fed 

agriculture both for rural livelihoods and exports of tea and coffee. It also depends on hydropower 

for half of its electricity generation, a driver of economic growth. Rwanda has experienced a 

temperature increase of 1.4°C since 1970 and can expect an increase in temperature of up to 2.5°C by 

the 2050s from 1970. Rainfall is highly variable in Rwanda but average annual rainfall may increase 

by up to 20% by the 2050s from 1970. 

• Projections for East Africa over Rwanda and Burundi show an increasing trend in rainfall intensity 

for both rainy seasons which is likely to bring the negative consequence of floods and storms which 

result in landslides, crop losses and damage to infrastructure. Temperature rise may increase the 

spread of vector-borne diseases, impacting on animal and human health, and could negatively affect 

crop yields, impacting food security and export earnings. Higher temperatures result in higher 

altitudes at which tea and coffee can be grown, which will significantly impact the land available for 

tea and coffee, and may result in land use conflict as farmers look for higher altitude land. 

• Rwanda imports all of its oil-based products, which fuels almost half of Rwanda’s electricity 

generation capacity, and its entire transport sector. As a landlocked country in equatorial Africa, 

transport is limited to road and air, and import and export costs are high. Any increase in oil price 

has a significant negative effect on GDP and economic growth. Rwanda is fortunate in that it has large 

untapped clean energy resources in geothermal, hydro and solar, as well as a large methane gas 

resource in Lake Kivu. Together these have the potential to meet Rwanda’s electricity needs and 

replace oil-fuelled power plants. This would have the co-benefit of providing domestic energy 

security and supporting socio-economic development whilst significantly reducing greenhouse gas 

(GHG) e<strong>mission</strong>s that contribute to global climate change. The challenge Rwanda faces lies in 

financing the exploitation of these energy resources. 

• Rwanda has one of the lowest e<strong>mission</strong>s per capita in the world, estimated at 0.65 tonnes 

CO2/person (including land use change), compared to a global average of 4.63 tonnes CO2/person. 

GHG e<strong>mission</strong>s in 2005 were dominated by CO2 (87%) at 531Gg, largely due to transport (52%) and 

industrial processes (28.5%). Total CO2 sequestration was 9,000Gg and land use change (conversion 

of forests and grasslands) was -545Gg making Rwanda a net carbon sink. CO2 e<strong>mission</strong>s from 

biomass and bunkers (aviation) were 7,228Gg and 17Gg respectively. The aggregate e<strong>mission</strong>s or 

total CO2 equivalent, used for measuring global warming potential, amounted to 5,010.4Gg in 2005, 

dominated by agriculture (78%) and energy (18%). Four key sources contribute 91% of aggregate 

e<strong>mission</strong>s: N2O from agricultural soils (57%), CH4 from enteric fermentation in domestic livestock 

(19%), CH4 from residential energy from fuel combustion (8%) and CO2 from road vehicles (5%) 

There are uncertainties in the GHG e<strong>mission</strong>s to verify due to inadequate representation, lack of basic 

data and application of e<strong>mission</strong>s factors for different conditions that need to be put in place. 

Page 13


The policy roadmap in Rwanda is: 

Vision 2050: For Rwanda to be a developed climate-resilient, low-carbon economy by 2050, having led the 

way for other developing countries to do the same. Guiding Principles include Economic Growth and Poverty 

Reduction Gender Equality and Equity, Sustainability of the Environment and Natural resources Good 

Regional and Global Citizenship, Welfare and Wellness of all citizens in a growing population 

Strategic Objectives 

1. To achieve Energy Security and a Low Carbon Energy Supply that supports the development of Green 

Industry and Services and avoids deforestation 

2. To achieve Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management that results in Food Security, 

appropriate. Urban Development and preservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services 

3. To achieve Social Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction that reduces vulnerability to climate change 

impacts 

The intention is to mainstream this strategy in EDPRS 2013-2017, Vision 2020, sector strategies and District 

Development Plans, to use it in International Climate Policy, to operationalise the Green Fund and Adaptation 

Committee and define sources of finance. Amongst all programmes and actions, there are a few big wins that 

if implemented, will make a significant impact on mitigation, adaptation and economic development and 

Rwanda has identified 3 big wins in mitigation and 3 big wins in adaptation. 

Big Wins in Mitigation: 

1. Geothermal power generation: Geothermal power is clean, renewable, reliable and large scale resource. It is 

a domestic resource, not shared with neighbouring countries like other large energy resources are, namely 

methane in Lake Kivu and hydropower on the Rusizi and Rusumo Rivers, and has near-zero e<strong>mission</strong>s and 

small land use impact, unlike peat. There is an estimated potential of up to 700MW of geothermal power in 

Rwanda and this would meet current domestic electricity demand if implemented. It could replace oil-fuelled 

power plants which currently supply 45% of electricity, result in high GHG e<strong>mission</strong>s, are vulnerable to oil 

price spikes and expensive for consumers. 

2. Reduced dependency on inorganic fertilisers: The agricultural intensification programme in Rwanda is 

currently dependent on the application of inorganic fertiliser to increase crop yields, although these external 

inputs produce GHG e<strong>mission</strong>s through the fertiliser manufacturing process and the transportation of 

fertiliser products. However demand for inorganic fertilisers can be reduced by applying an integrated 

approach to soil fertility and nutrient management, which employs agro-ecology, resource recovery and 

reuse, and fertiliser enriched composts >. An integrated approach can 

significantly lower inorganic fertiliser demand, reduce GHG e<strong>mission</strong>s and increase farm profitability due to 

reduced input costs for farmers. Such approaches also improve soil structure and the water retention 

capacity of soils leading to resilient agricultural ecosystems and sustainable food security. 

3. High density walkable cities: Otherwise Rwanda will face unprecedented levels of urban sprawl, largely due 

to hilly terrain. This forces people to travel greater distances than necessary, with motorised transport 

resulting in GHG e<strong>mission</strong>s and air pollution. Designing high-density cities with corridors for pedestrians and 

cyclists and green public spaces, would reduce the need for energy intensive transport and improve quality of 

life. Not only will this reduce GHG e<strong>mission</strong>s, but also reduce the burden of transport costs to citizens. 

Big wins in Adaptation: 

Page 14


1. Irrigation infrastructure: Rwanda’s rainfall has traditionally been able to exploit for seasonal agriculture. 

However, seasonal agriculture is vulnerable to climate change and population pressure, as even slight 

changes in rainfall patterns and air temperatures can have significant impacts on crop and livestock 

production, likewise, a rapidly growing population places serious pressure on food security. Consequently, 

the development of irrigation infrastructure is required to maximise efficient land and water usage in 

Rwanda, and to adapt seasonal farming systems into climate-smart agriculture thereby building resilience to 

potential future shocks. The implementation of irrigation infrastructure is also required because it forms a 

crucial component of Integrated Water Resource Management as improved watershed management allows 

for increased water efficiency in other sectors including domestic and industrial sectors, while also reducing 

disaster risks through the mitigation of floods and landslides. 

2. Robust road network: Rwanda has a vast road network on which the economy depends – agriculture, 

mining, industry and services all use roads to transport their goods. The roads are of varying quality, with the 

majority vulnerable to damage from heavy rainfall, floods and landslides. By building robust roads that are 

engineered for more extreme weather events will reduce vulnerability and promote economic development. 

3. Climate data: Rwanda is located in equatorial Africa, which lacks sufficient data to produce robust climate 

projections. Although temperature will rise the increase is uncertain while future rainfall patterns are even 

more uncertain, making it difficult to plan for the future. This is particularly important for agriculture, where 

crop yields are affected by temperature and rainfall, and planning for future water demands to support the 

economy. Climate data from Rwanda will improve confidence in global climate models and enable better 

regional modelling, contributing not only to Rwanda’s adaptation planning, but planning in the region. 

Gender 

• Gender policies in Rwanda have created a society where women are fully recognized at all levels in 

society. Parliament has the highest percentage (60%) of women in the world. In industry, agriculture, 

service sectors and other walks of life the skills and abilities of women are to a great extend utilized. 

This has also enabled to generate rapid development. 

• Rwanda is also recognized internationally in its leading role. This has recently resulted in the Kigali 

declaration: Global Call For Action On Financing Gender Equality as preparation for the upcoming 

OECD Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF4) to be held in Busan South Korea (29 

November -1 December 2011) to address challenges that are impeding progress on implementing 

gender equality commitments and safeguard progress made to date. 

• Water Resources Management and its related activities create ample opportunity to address gender 

issues. In hillside agriculture women play an important role as much labour is manual and women 

are actively involved in the water distribution procedures. In a new paper an explanation is given 

why societies like Rwanda and Burundi have traditionally a very hig share of women in the labor 

force (over 90% of women work outside the household in these societies (Alesina, Nunn & Giuliano, 

2011). Collection of water for domestic and small-scale income generating activities around the 

homesteads is largely the affair of women. This creates opportunities for women to be stronger 

involved in the new management modality (PPP) of rural water service provision. Apparently, 

created cooperatives include a substantial percentage of women. 

• The Ministry for Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) fulfils its role as a leader in facilitating 

the implementation of the National Gender Policy and Plan of Action to ensure effective gender 

mainstreaming and full participation of women in all activities related to the socio-economic 

development of the nation. 

2.5 Private Sector Development 

• World Bank’s Doing Business 2011 includes Rwanda in its executive summary. The 10 economies 

that made the largest strides in making their regulatory environment more favourable to business 

include Rwanda. Rwanda has also been recognized as top 10 Doing Business Reformer in previous 

Page 15


years. The cumulative improvement over the past 5 years of Rwanda as measured by the DB change 

score shows that this was not a one-time effort and that the changes introduced were substantial. 

Since 2005 Rwanda has implemented 22 business regulation reforms in the areas measured by 

Doing Business. Results show on the ground. In 2005 starting a business in Rwanda took 9 

procedures and cost 223% of income per capita. Today entrepreneurs can register a new business in 

3 days, paying official fees that amount to 8.9% of income per capita. More than 3,000 entrepreneurs 

took advantage of the efficient process in 2008, up from an average of 700 annually in previous 

years. Registering property in 2005 took more than a year (371 days), and the transfer fees 

amounted to 9.8% of the property value. Today the process takes 2 months and costs 0.4% of the 

value. A new company law adopted in 2009 strengthened investor protections by requiring greater 

corporate disclosure, increasing the liability of directors and improving shareholders’ access to 

information. 

• Both domestic and Foreign Investment in Rwanda are sharply growing, the Netherlands is ranked as 

nr 12 investor in Rwanda. Investments in the telecom sector include Rwandatel (Libya), MTN (South 

Africa) and Tigo (Latin America). South Korea is active in fibre optics. Chinese companies are in the 

construction sector. Investors in the mining sector are currently from South Africa and Europe, while 

the Kenyans are active in the oil sector. Over the last 10 years investments have increased, as 

indicated in Figure 3. 

Figure 3: Foreign and local Investment in Rwanda (2000-2009) 

• In terms of trade about one third of trade is with partners in the East African Community, one third 

with Asia and one third with the rest of the world. Uganda, China and Kenya lead in the import in the 

first and the second quarter of 2011 with 13.0 percent, 11.4 percent, 8.7 percent and 15.0 percent, 

14.0 percent, 9.3 percent respectively. The other following countries are: Tanzania, India and United 

Arab Emirates. The import from China in growing fast. 

• Kenya, France and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the first destinations of Rwanda’s exports in 

the second quarter 2011 with 18.4, 18.0 and 17.2 %, respectively. Meanwhile, Switzerland, Kenya 

and the Democratic Republic of Congo were the first destinations of Rwanda’s exports in the first 

quarter 2011 with 13.9%, 13.3 % and 8.9 % respectively. About 5% of Rwanda’s exports go to China 

in recent years. 

• Service and maintenance of water supply is an example where the Government encourages private 

sector development. This has now resulted in arrangements with private companies to take care of 

construction, maintenance of water supply in 30% of the districts of Rwanda. PWN from the 

Netherlands is one player in this market, having a majority share in AquaVirungu, and is active in 3 

districts of Rwanda. With co-financing from PSOM, PWN invested in the upgrading and expansion of 

Page 16


small town and semi-rural water supply in Rwanda. Aqua-for-All (A4A; a Dutch NGO stimulating 

private sector development) is active in water supply improvement in other districts in partnership 

with Aqua Virunga. 

• Dutch parties actively working in Rwanda include Rabo Bank (through BPR), Berenschot, BAM, 

Heineken, Interbeton, KLM and PWN and A4A. 

Page 17


3 Challenges in water sector 

• Rwanda’s future population and its food security through irrigated agriculture will demand for 

enormous volumes of water; the uniqueness for Africa is that in the 2050 with the present population 

growth the population density in Rwanda will be at an unprecedented level of above 700 per km2. 

Industries and recreation, and hydropower will add to the immense water demand and stringent 

pollution control measures are definitely and highly needed. 

• With the presently planned ambitious infrastructural development in urban, industrial, agricultural, 

electricity sectors, a reliable baseline (stock-taking) of available water resources and quality is 

urgently required. Presently, Rwanda lacks reliable water resources data on quantity and quality that 

is required for long- and medium-term planning, integrated water resources management, water 

governance, regulation and oversight. 

• Water resources monitoring on use and users, both in qualitative and quantitative terms, is urgently 

needed to protect, control, regulate and allocate the precious resource that water is; particularly as 

so many sectors look at water is their source required for their activities. The current monitoring 

system in Rwanda is inadequate. Most of the river gauging, rainfall and climatic stations are nonoperational 

due to lack of operation and maintenance of the hydro-meteorological stations due to 

financial constraints. Groundwater monitoring is completely lacking. The impact of lack of 

hydrological data is that the implementation of the plans to manage the water resources in an 

equitable and rational manner to ensure sustainability is hindered. The following elements require 

substantial action: 

Improving Water Monitoring: The following elements require substantial action: 

River Gauging Network: A density of 1 station for 2,500 km2 meets the minimum density norms for streamgauging 

as per WMO recommendation. Stations should be fitted with an Automatic Water level 

Recorder. Only 6 stations are operational in Rwanda. 

Precipitation Stations: The rainfall monitoring network in Rwanda in the past has been quite dense. Reports 

indicate that the number of rainfall stations in the country was 195 in the past. However, the current 

status of the stations is reported to be in very poor shape as the majority of the stations are not 

operational. Only a handful of the stations are still operational. In view of the economic difficulties, 

which limit the operation of a dense network, the existing networks have been reviewed with the 

objective to maintain a small network, which possibly can be operated and maintained sustainably from 

the Government funds that can be made available. 

Climatic Stations: A total of 8 climatic stations have ever been operated in the Rwandan side. Out of the total 8 

stations, 6 stations are operational while 2 are non operational. It is reported that about half of the 

instruments are working. 

Groundwater Monitoring Stations: Groundwater monitoring has never been carried out. With increased use of 

water resources, groundwater extraction may become a more important source of water. Groundwater 

measuring sites have been planned to be established in Rwanda on three representative basins for 

different kinds of aquifers, i.e., Ruhengeri, south Kigali and Kibungo provinces. 

Status of Water Quality: Three automatic surface water quality stations have been planned to be installed on 

Nyabugogo river near Kigali and Nyabarongo downstream of Kigali in order to provide water quality 

data of both rivers in RwandaSediment Network: It is recommended that the sampling points for 

suspended sediment to be located at the hydrometric stations. 

Drinking water monitoring: The National Strategic Action Plan on Drinking Water Quality Surveillance 2012- 

2016, assuming that 80% of diseases are water borne, plans to monitor compliance to Rwanda Water 

Quality standard RS.435.2009, following the East African Water Quality Standard specification.Data 

centre: Within MINERENA a plan to install an adequate water system, including staff provision and 

training, installation of equipment and software to make the information available for the various 

stakeholders must be put in place with priority. This plan must be developed in close cooperation with 

various stakeholders. Placement under REMA is suggested. 

Page 18


• Poverty and lack of fertile land has pushed poor Rwandans on marginal lands like steep hills and 

marshland. This has resulted in uncontrolled degradation of land and nature. 

• Poor sanitation, lack of urban and industrial waste water treatment, mining activities and intensive 

agriculture applying inorganic fertilisers and pesticides seriously pollute surface waters that are also 

being used as the source for drinking and industrial process water. 

• Substantial expansion of irrigated land and the presently consequently drainage of marshlands need 

innovative systems highly efficient in water use and hybrid approaches to ensure availability for 

water for ecosystems and maintain water buffer capacity of marshland. 

• Rwanda is at the verge of a new era of developments as reflected in Vision 2020 that aims to 

eradicate poverty and may bring Rwanda into the league of middle-income countries by 2020. This 

route will define put a pressure on water resources claimed for various uses. 

• New settlements, including the ‘imidugudus’, and new and expanding industries including service 

sector will demand high investment in water supply infrastructure. 

• Most cities and towns have outdated water supply infrastructure while rapid urbanisation and 

modernisation takes place. To control public health in these densely populated areas, city/town new 

or rehabilitated sewerage systems are to be constructed. Both urban water supply and sewerage are 

activities high on the development agenda of the GoR; huge infrastructural investments are required, 

in the order of several hundreds of million US Dollars. 

• WRM is a novice and learning sector in Rwanda, with many challenges despite the recent policy and 

strategic framework (both July 2011). Human resources are limited in number and capacities, both 

at the national (RNRA is being established) and decentralised level (district) where WRM is hardly 

known, understood and practised. Water catchment authorities for decentralised IWRM are still to 

be formed, resourced and capacitated. 

• Regarding rural water service provision, the private service providers in the PPP model for rural 

water service have insufficient capacities to adequately manage rural water services; the Contract 

providers/managers– the districts’ authorities – lack the capacities and experiences to do proper 

contract management and adequately govern water service provision. 

• Political leadership on integrated water resources management is low, the focus remains on 

infrastructure for domestic, industrial and mining water supply, agriculture and hydropower, where 

sustainability of resource quantity and quality is very much at risk. This calls for awareness creation 

on importance of IWRM among national and local politicians. 

Page 19


4 Rwandan demands for water resources and water 

development 

The demands and priorities are presented in a tabulated format and in order of priority to create a structured 

and easily accessible overview. The arguments and motivation for priority setting have been given in the 

earlier chapters and reflect the statements from the government officials met, often amplified by 

representatives from the DPs. 

Priorities in WRM Details Components 


Institution building 

Capacity development 

Learning for Improved 

Performance and 

Sustainability 

WRM Master Plan 

Water Governance 

Evidence-based 

advocacy 

WRM institutions 

needed at catchment 

and sub-catchment 

New departments 

within MINIRENA, the 

new RNRA and the tobe-established 

water 

catchment offices need 

to develop relevant 

capacities among their 

new staff 

Life-long learning 

structures; national and 

decentralised multistakeholder 

learning to 

enhance coordination 

and harmonisation for 

improved performance 

and sustainability 

Development of key 

document based on 

policy and strategy, to 

guide planning and 


Systems, structures and 

dissemination channels 

to govern water 

planning, allocations, 

practice at national and 

catchment levels 

Awareness and 

information system for 

non-directly involved 

government 

departments and 

politicians and the CSOs 

and general public 

Institutional and 

organisational 

development; 

Regular IWRM courses 

at degree and diploma 

level, also demand for 

PhD levels; short 

courses in specific 

knowledge and skills 

areas. 

Seminar, workshops, 

internet-based 

learning. 

Learning fora for 

dialogue among 

stakeholders 

Studies, overall 

overview stakeholders 

uses and demands, 

general planning, 

guideline development 

IWRM 

Systems, structures for 

monitoring and 

dialogue, and 

dissemination channels 

(linked to the WRM 

Monitoring) 

Series of information 

products on opportune 

IWRM issues to raise 

political and general 

public awareness and 

support 

Rwandan Institutions 

involved 

MINIRENA, RNRA, 

districts 


catchment authorities, 

districts; Rwandan 

universities and 

polytechnics, water 

training institutions 


catchment offices, 

districts; NGOs, other 

institutions directly 

involved in WRM at 

national and 

catchment level 


REMA; 

And other institutions 

directly and indirectly 

involved in WRM 


REMA; districts, water 

catchment offices, 

NGOs 

And other institutions 

directly and indirectly 

involved in WRM 

RNRA, REMA, CSOs, 

NGOs, marketing firms 


partners 

Water Boards; Union 

of Water Boards; Cap. 

Building 

organizations; 

Government agencies 

Dutch Capacity 

Development 

institutions 

SNV, IRC, Water 

Boards; Union of 

Water Boards; Cap. 


organizations. 


of Water Boards; 

consulting firms 



universities, IRC, 



Boards; NGOs 

Priorities in 



Details 

Baseline on quantity, 

quality, present use and 

demands; regular 

monitoring for 

management, 

governance and 

Components 


Monitoring system 

development; 

Monitoring processing 

and information 

presentation and use 

for defined purposes. 



MINIRENA, RNRA and 

REMA; decentralised 

management bodies at 

district and water 

catchment level; 

MININFRA and EWSA; 

MINAGRI; NBI, 


partners 



Water Dienst; 

universities; 

Consultants; ICT 

companies 

Page 20


regulation 

Link with climate 

change institutions 

ABAKIR and other 

trans-boundary 

management 

authorities 

Priorities in transboundary 

WRM 

Details 






partners 

Trans-boundary WRM 

in Congo basin 

Trans-boundary WRM 

in Nile basin 

Dialoguing and 

negotiations on vision 

development, purposes, 

goals agreements and 

resolutions on IWRM of 

trans-boundary rivers 

in Congo river basin 

Dialoguing and 

negotiations on vision 

development, purposes, 

goals agreements and 

resolutions on IWRM of 

trans-boundary rivers 

Create commitment of 

Burundi and DRC 

Systems and structures 

for effective transboundary 

IWRM with 

fragile countries as 

Burundi and DRC 

Systems and structures 

for effective transboundary 

IWRM with 

riparian countries 


REMA, MININFRA, 

EWSA,ABAKIR, CSOs, 

research institutions 

and universities 


REMA, MININFRA, 

EWSA, NBI, NELSAP, 

CSOs, research 

institutions and 

universities 


Boards; Consultants 

like Future Water, 

Deltares, universities, 

WUR, UNESCO-IHE 


Boards; ISS; 

Consultants, Future 

Water, Deltares, 

universities, WUR, 

UNESCO-IHE, 

Priorities in Waterfor-Food 

Sustainable 

Marshlands 

Development 

Techniques for waterefficient 

food security 

Sustainable water 

management without 

salinization 

Ecological friendly 

marshland 

Realization of WRmanaged 

marshlands 

of PADAP Gashora 

(Bugesera District) 

Identification and 

subsequent 

implementation of 

multi-purpose projects 

with agricultural 

component in e.g. 

Nyaborongo 

Details 

Draining marshland 

may affect buffer 

capacity 

Strong impact on 

sustainability and 

economy of 

investments 

Drainage expertise to 

be made available 

Hybrid wetland 

development for 

optimal agricultural 

utilisation balanced 

with nature 

conservation 

Revision of Investment 

Plan, Optimization of 

constructed dam, 

Infrastructure and 

Drainage development, 

Farmer organization 

Some current plan 

focus on technical 

aspects of realizing 

project sites; Revision 

to benefit from more 

integrated approach 

needed 



Masterplan for Flood 

and Draught mitigation 

in combination with 

marshland 

development 

Use of agricultural 

models to determine 

best crops and drainage 

and irrigation 

techniques 

Capacity building in 

irrigation and drainage 

Water buffer capacity, 

biodiversity 

Rural infrastructure, 

electrification, 

processing facilities, 

capacity development 

Thorough revision and 

strategic 

environmental 

assessments needed of 

plans. 



REMA, MINAGRIC 

MINAGRI 

MINAGRI 

REMA 

MINAGRI, BPR 

MINAGRI, REMA 


partners 

Partners in Kennis 

voor Klimaat 

programme a.o. 

Alterra 

Capacity building 

institutions 

DLG, Altena & 

Wymenga, NIOO, 

Alterra 

Investors, Rabobank, 

FMO, 

Consultants, 


Priorities in Water- 

Supply and 


Details 






partners 

Rehabilitation and new 

urban water 


Rehabilitation of old 

water supply 

infrastructure with 

serious leakages and 

frequent breakdown; 

Design, construction of 

intakes, treatment 

plants and distribution 

networks 

MININFRA, EWSA, 

consulting firms and 

contractors 

Consulting firms like 

DHV etc. 

Contractors like 

BAM, InterBeton etc. 

Page 21



rural and small town 

water infrastructure 


district authorities 


of PPPs 

Monitoring of 

rural/small town 

water supply and 

water service 

provision performance 

Governance and 

accountability through 

Dialoguing & Learning 

for sustainable water 

services 


urban sewerage 


new infrastructure also 

in low-income urban 

areas 

Mostly new 

infrastructure also in 

new settlements 

imidugudus. Some 

rehabilitation of old 

water supply 


For district authorities 

i/c of asset 

management and PPP 

contract management 

PPPs require adequate 

knowledge and skills 

for effective water 

service provision 

Monitoring is the 

foundation for effective 


accountability; 

monitoring must be 

objective and verifiable, 

building on present MIS 

Rural/small town water 

supply planning and 

service provision has 

many stakeholders to 

be involved in actions 

for effectiveness and 

sustainability 

Rehabilitation of 

outdated sewerage 

infrastructure; new 

infrastructure also in 

low-income urban 

areas 


intakes, treatment 

plants and distribution 

networks 

All elements of 

decentralised water 

supply and water 

service planning, 

provision and oversight 

(including monitoring 

for sustainability). 

Contract management 

of PPPs. 

All elements of, and 

skills/tools for effective 

management of 

rural/small town water 

service provision 

Structures, systems and 

processes in data 

collection linked to MIS 

but sound for use in 

local governance, 

accountability and 

learning 

Structures, systems, 

processes, and skills & 

tools to ensure local 

water service 


accountability. 

Learning and 

dialoguing structures 

are major element. 


sewerage, treatment 

plants and 

energy/nutrients 

recovery plants; focus 

on decentralised 

systems 



contractors 

MINALOC, districts, 


Rwandan capacity 

building institutions, 

NGOs, private sector 

associations 

Districts, MININFRA, 

EWSA, Association of 

private sector agencies 

(if present of water 

PPPs), NGOs, water 

education institutions 


districts, NGOs, PPPs 

and their associations, 

Rwanda National 

Bureau of Statistics 

MINALOC, districts, 


RNRA, CSOs, NGOs, 

PPPs and private 

sector associations, 

local politicians 



contractors; research 

institutions for 

innovations 

with co-financing 

from PSI and/or 

ORIO 

Water companies 

(like PWN), private 

sector promoting 

NGOs like A4A, 


DHV etc. 

Water companies, 

Universities like 

UNESCO-IHE, 

WETSUS, SNV, IRC, 

Water education 

institutes, SNV, IRC, 

Universities, IRC, SNV 

IRC, SNV, NGOs, 

water companies 


DHV etc. 

Contractors like 

BAM, InterBeton etc. 

with co-financing 

from PSI and/or 

ORIO; and 

universities for 

innovation 

• At this moment in time, with the starting point of developing water resource management in Rwanda, 

the impact of Dutch expertise would be the co-shaping of Rwanda’s Water Resource Management. With 

Rwanda as a leading country in Africa in many aspects of effective governance, this example would also 

expose other countries in both Anglophone and Francophone Africa to the Rwandan concept and the 

strategic Rwandan-Dutch partnership. The modern Dutch structure with strong ICT components in the 

system of IWRM through Water Boards provides many opportunities for Dutch Water Boards, 

consultancy companies and hardware suppliers to expand their business in Rwanda and beyond. 

Page 22


• To make food production and irrigation plans sustainable in terms of their claims in the water resource 

management, it is essential to use highly water efficient systems. The Dutch industry is able to provide 

top-notch solutions that can be embedded in the Rwandan situation. 

• Management of rural and small town water supply and service (including operation and maintenance) in 

Rwanda can largely be done by the private sector. At this stage a Dutch partner, PWN, is already 

involved in some districts in Rwanda and has now involved Aqua4All and there is ample scope for 

expansion in this area for Dutch companies. 

• Investments from Rwandan side could also be facilitated by Banque Popular de Rwanda, the only bank 

in Rwanda having branches in each district and managed by Rabobank, providing also easy entry for 

Dutch companies interested in investing in Rwanda. 

• Dutch Institutions already involved in Water Resource Management as service providers include 

UNESCO-IHE in capacity building through Nuffic at National University of Rwanda, Future Water, who is 

exploring irrigation potential for Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and Alterra, Wageningen UR building the 

agricultural and trade model based on hydraulic model for NBI. The NBI projects are funded by World 

Bank. SNV has started initiatives on capacity development and multi-stakeholder learning for a in 

IWRM. 

Page 23


5 Indicative framework for Rwandan-Dutch cooperation 

5.1 Suggested priorities 

For Water Resource Management, at this point in time becoming a priority, MINIRENA needs to develop a 

Master Plan to define the institutions and staff the strategic positions. Since availability of highly qualified 

staff in fields like water, geology and mining is extremely limited, the Master Plan should also provide for 

training to fill gaps that cannot be covered through recruitment. A next step in this process could be working 

with the strategic staff in developing the institutions. In this case the policy rightly indicates that institutions 

at catchment level could be a logical choice, also linking up with water user associations. However current 

institutions in Rwanda are based on districts as administrative units. The Dutch experiences build with Water 

Boards could be very useful in the discussions, where also links between catchment and local administration 

have developed. 

For equitable and integrated management of water resources, it is essential to have monitoring of water 

resources in place. This also helps in positioning Rwanda as a reliable and stable partner in trans-boundary 

issues in the Great Lakes Region in Africa. 

In the link between water and food security the current Irrigation Master Plan provides a solution to adapt to 

climate change and cope with the fast rising needs in food security. Enhanced water buffering capacity is an 

important element in making Rwanda more resilient to impacts of climate change. Uncontrolled development 

of marshlands and hillside irrigation should be prevented, it must be embedded within the IWRM policies in 

order to avoid risks of more hydrological extremes downstream and to meet the requirements of ecosystems. 

Dutch cooperation in a project to be implemented can become a showcase for other upcoming investments. 

Hillside irrigation should also take into account sustainable practices in terms of erosion control to maintain 

the land base for production and also to minimize sedimentation in hydro-electric or multi-purpose 

reservoirs. 

To meet the Millennium Development Goals Rwanda still has challenges in water supply and sanitation where 

there are opportunities for Dutch partners to work with partners in Rwanda, either as a PPP, capacity builder 

or in the design and construction of Water Supply and Sanitation infrastructure. Capacity development and 

learning approaches at decentralised level for water service managers and contact managers provide 

opportunities for Dutch capacity orienting providers. 

A number of possible priorities, type of support, Rwandan actors and Dutch partners is suggested in table 2. 

Table 2. Prioritized Rwandan demands for support in water 

Priority Details Components (indicative) Rwandan 

partners 


partners 

Water Resource 

Management 

• New institution 

• Final policy and 

strategy 

• Hardly capacity 

• No implementation 

plan 

• Infrastructure ((sub-) 

basin) rules 

• WRM appreciated 

• Regulate and enforce 

• Environmental balance 

Instit. Building at 

central and decentral 

Level 

Cap. Develop 

national and local 

Water governance 

Evidence based 

advocacy 

Institutional building 

MINIRENA 

MINALOC 

MINIRENA 

NGO’s 

NRA, 

REMA 



Union of Water Boards 

NL Capacity Builders 

(Universities, 

UNESCO-IHE, IRC etc.) 


NGOs (SNV-IRC) 

Waterdienst, Water 

Boards 

Water Boards, 

Capacity builders 

Page 24



Trans-boundary 

Water for Food 

Water supply and 


-very rudimentary 

monitoring of quantities 

and quality of water 

(rain) and sediment. 

-Water Quality 


Infrastructure needed. 

-Data center needed 

NBI facilitates Kagera 

policy and plan 

development 

ABAKIR to start for Rusizi 

/Lake kivu EU& Rwanda 

start for 2 years. Burundi 

and DRC need to come on 

board 

Numerous plans for 

drainage of marshlands 

and hill side 

Irrigation. WRM often 

lacks. 

Multi purpose projects to 

be considered for rapid 


• Outdated infrastructure 

• Limited Sewerage 

• Imidugudus to be 

developed 

• Contract management 

of districts needs 

strengthening 

• PPP management weak 

River gauging network to 

be completed. 

Water Quality monitoring 

infrastructure to be 

implemented 

Sediment network 

Meteo network 

WRM requires 

monitoring Q&Q in both 

Nile and 

Congo basin 

Review and 


of current plans like 

Gashora marshlands. 

Make it integrated and 

use Agricultural model to 

promote efficient 

production investments 

Look at buffer effects 

Look at nature effects 

Invest in irrigated agric 

• Infrastructure renewal 

• Expansion of 


• Cap. Development 

districts 

• Cap. Development PPP 

• Monitoring, dialogue 

and 

• Learning 

REMA 

REMA 

ABAKIR 

MINAGRI 

MINERENA 

REMA 

BPR 

Districts 

EWSA 

PPP 

Waterdienst 

Meteo institutions, 

Universities, 


Consultants (e.g. 

Future 

Water), Deltares, 

Universities, ISS 

Drainage institutions 

(Alterra-ILRI) 

Consultants in agric 

hydrology 

Deltares, WUR, 


Organisations like 

DLG, 

Altena & Wymenaga, 

NIOO, Alterra 

Rabobank, FMO 

Consultants like DHV 

WETSUS, KWR, IRC, 

Private sector like 

PWN, Vitens/Evides. 

NGO’s like SV 

5.2 Why is Rwanda a special case in Africa? 

• After the Genocide Rwanda is taking its future serious. This is reflected in the ambitious Vision 2020 

document in which Rwanda describes its ambitions to eradicate poverty and to become a middleincome 

state by 2020. Rwanda shows vision and also dedication to search for long-term solutions to 

address its future high population and high population density with risks in food security and 

employment that could create roots for social instability. Rwanda is not shying away from political 

short-term unpopular measures required to counter-act the risks at a long-term. Rwanda is also 

open-for-change and innovation. In these ways it is unique in Africa, and may, therefore, become an 

example in East Africa and the whole of Africa south of the Sahara. 

• Rwanda is an active member of various international organisations including East African 

Community, COMESA and the Commonwealth. It is also a constructive partner in platforms on transboundary 

waters, including NBI for the Nile and ABAKIR for the Congo (Rusizi and Lake Kivu). 

Rwanda is a serious partner in trans-boundary issues as its river discharges could easily affect in 

quantity and quality downstream riparian countries. There will be a positive spin-off in terms of 

supporting and developing capacities in fragile states as Burundi and DRC. This may contribute to a 

stable, conflict-free relationship on water management and beyond. 

• Rwanda is in many aspects interesting for Dutch ODA as it pro-actively and effectively works on 

structures and conditions that the Dutch Government puts as conditions for cooperation: 

Page 25


• High level of leadership 

• Political and social stability 

• Long-term security of investment 

• Results-oriented government, also at local level using annual performance contracts 

• Conducive private sector investment and business environment 

• Good rate of return and sustainable results for ODA investment 

• Good governance and low level of corruption 

• High level of accountability 

• Energetic, pro-active people 

• From a private sector investment perspective, Rwanda appears to have a conducive private sector 

investment climate, effective and friendly for business development, it seems to have a high security 

for foreign investment and it has the potential to be effective from a business perspective. Rwanda 

and its private sector is open for innovation and is therefore attractive for new product and services 

development, an important aspect for the Dutch water industry, knowledge institutions and NGOs. 

Rwanda has the potential to provide genuine local partnerships that may assist in scaling up business 

in neighbouring countries possibly in partnership with Rwandan private sector and serve as entry 

point to target markets for locally produced products & services to neighbouring countries. 

• In the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom, the Heritage Foundation found that Rwanda was leading the 

world in improving economic freedom (with 3.6 points) and has a higher overall score than EU 

member countries like Italy and Greece, a fact hardly known in the Netherlands. 

• This position means also that Rwanda is seen by its fellow African nations as leading in sustainable 

development, and is therefore a stabilizing factor in the Great Lakes Region in particular. Rwanda is 

also translating this in becoming more of a hub, open to both Anglophone and Francophone 

countries. Transport links are improving and 5 flights a week link Rwanda directly with Schiphol 

Airport. 

5.3 Required capacities at EKN Kigali 

• Given the current time frame in developing WRM in Rwanda, the windows of opportunities for 

effective support to the water sector of Rwanda by targeted actions require adequate Embassy staff 

for the water sector. A Programme Officer in charge of the water sector for adequate project 

appraisal, monitoring and evaluation additional capacity is required at EKN. 

• To promote collaboration between Rwanda and the Netherlands it is also suggested to second to 

MINIRENA or its Authorities a Liaison officer between Rwanda WRM sector and NL supporting 

organisations and private sector. This person is answerable to the EKN Secretary i/c WRM 

Programme. 

• Liaison Officer keeps contact with facilitating government and semi-government institutions 

Page 26


References 

Alesina, A., P. Giuliano & N. Nunn, 2011. Fertility and the Plough American Economic Review: Papers 

& Proceedings 2011, 101:3, 499–503 

Government of Rwanda, July 2011. National Strategy for Climate Change and Low Carbon 

Development (draft). 

Knapen, B. 2010. Basisbrief O Ontwikkelingssamenwerking. DGIS, The Hague 

Knapen, B. 2011. Focusbrief Ontwikkelingssamenwerking. DGIS, The Hague 

Knapen, B. 2011. Toespraak van staatssecretaris voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking. Ben Knapen op de 

Watersectorbijeenkomst, 2 februari 2011 

Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources, 2010. Rwanda Irrigation Master Plan., (Ed: Mc Gaw, E.). Rwanda. 

Ministry of Health, 2011. National Strategic Action Plan for Drinking Water Quality Surveilance 2012-2016, 

Draft, 1 st August 2011. 

Ministry of Natural Resources, 2010. Mine and Geology Policy. 

Ministry of Natural Resources, 2011. National Policy for Water Resources Management. 

Ministry of Natural Resources, 2011. Water Resources Management Strategic Plan (2011-2015) 

National Strategy on Climate Change and Low Carbon Development, Republic of Rwanda, Draft, 12 july 2011. 

Ministère de l’Agriculture et des Ressources Animales. 2010. Projet de Developpement Rural Intégré de la 

Region Naturelle du Bugesera (PADAB) 

Feasibility Study of Water Resources Development in Nyabarongo River. Chapter 

Top Team Water, 2011. Water verdient het. Advies Topsector Water. The Hague 

NWP, 2011. Water2020, Wereldleiders in Water. NWP, the Hague 

WRR, 2010. Minder Pretentie, Meer Ambitie. WRR rapport 84. WRR, the Hague 

Page 27


Annex 1. Terms of Reference Water <strong>Scoping</strong> Mission Rwanda 

Rwanda is endowed with substantial freshwater resources. To that extent, regular rainfall patterns and low 

usage base has, until now, not promoted water storage and water monitoring as a necessity. There is a clear 

gap of observatory data and monitoring framework for Rwanda’s water and climate. The challenges of rapid 

population 

growth, increased urbanisation and industry, environmental degradation and pollution are leading to 

accelerated depletion and degradation of the available water resources. Any significant increase in Rwanda’s 

water demand will impact downstream nations, primarily the beneficiaries of the Kagera basin and riparian 

states of the Nile. However, the management of Rwanda’s water and natural resources is complex and 

involves cross cutting issues spanning all sectors, and demands the participation of national and regional 

stakeholders. There is need for a review of the water management structures that will be required at 

Rwanda’s transboundary management level to mitigate the future potential for difficulties in international 

water budgeting. Transforming the national reliance on rainfall, particularly rain-fed agriculture must be a 

priority reflected in sectoral development planning and public infrastructure spending. Low quality 

production and fluctuation in yields is stagnating Rwanda’s development and growth potential. 

2. Purpose and Scope of the <strong>mission</strong> 

The purpose of the <strong>mission</strong> is “to assess opportunities for Netherlands’ support to the water sector in 

Rwanda, including the wider regional context”. The character of the <strong>mission</strong> is that of a scoping exercise: 

exploring ideas, making an inventory and a first selection of such opportunities. The Embassy will use the 

output of the <strong>mission</strong> for its multi-annual planning exercise for the period 2012 - 2015. 

With respect to contents, the <strong>mission</strong> will focus on IWRM as a whole, but also on all subsectors of the water 

sector, in particular the links between water management and food security (“ Water for Food”). Also “ Water 

for Environment” and “ Water for People” should be considered. Water and sanitation issues (f.ex. drinking 

water, waste water treatment) are explicitly included in this <strong>mission</strong>. Although the regional context and 

transboundary issues should be considered, visits to neighbouring countries are not foreseen. 

Furthermore, related to water, the <strong>mission</strong> will consider aspects of policy development, capacity building, 

technology transfers, investments, planning and implementation. 

3. Objectives of the <strong>mission</strong> 

Given purpose and scope as defined in paragraph 2, objectives of the <strong>mission</strong> are: 

- Give an overview of the water sector of Rwanda, including linkages with other sectors 

- Give an overview of major actors, donors and stakeholders in the water sector 

Page 28


- Give an overview of policies with relevance to the water sector 

- Describe the regional context of Rwanda’s water sector, including transboundary issues 

- Explore ideas for Netherlands’ support and make concept notes for selected activities 

- Identify possible Dutch partners with relevant knowledge and expertise 

4. Relevant policy goals and documents 

The overall DGIS policy goal for development of Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region is to promote economic 

development to achieve and maintain peace and stability. Its population is poor and has suffered from 

devastating conflicts. Socio-economic development in the Great Lakes region is vital for security and stability. 

Generation of income and employment will undermine recruitment of rebel movements and will help 

refugees to settle. Next to interventions in sectors like agriculture, energy and private sector development, 

the water sector is expected to offer opportunities to contribute to this goal. In the new DGIS policy water has 

become one of the spearhead programmes. 

The thematic note on water, prepared by DGIS/DME serves as the sectoral policy framework for the <strong>mission</strong>. 

An English summary of this note is provided in Annex 2. 

Documents that provide insight into the Dutch (international) Water Policy include ‘Visie 2020’, Focusbrief 

Ontwikkelingssamenwerking’, ‘Advies Topsector Water’ etc. (If required, this can be obtained via the NWP) 

5. Process and methodology 

Apart from a literature review, the <strong>mission</strong> should consult various experts, donors and stakeholders with 

good knowledge of (aspects of) the water sector in Rwanda and the wider regional context. The IWRM 

approach is guiding: a comprehensive approach to the water sector and its linkages with other sectors. 

The Consultant will prepare a work plan immediately upon signing of the contract, in consultation with the 

Embassy. The work plan will describe how the <strong>mission</strong> will be carried out and may propose refinements or 

clarifications to the Terms of Reference. 

The EKN will have the overall supervision of the <strong>mission</strong> and will organise a briefing session at the beginning 

and a debriefing session at the end of the review. EKN will also approve all deliverables. 

6. Outputs and deliverables 

Page 29


The Consultant will prepare: 

1. At the beginning a draft work plan; 

2. At the end a draft report with annexes (list of people interviewed, methodology, references, literature etc.; 

3. The draft report should include Concept Notes for project ideas; 

4. The draft report should outline the local demand; 

5. The draft report should outline the added value of Netherland’s support; 

6. The consultant will submit a final report for review within five days of receiving comments; 

7. Reporting 

Reporting will be in English and is due at the latest by August 31 st 2011. 

8. Time frame and Budget 

The time frame proposed for the present evaluation is two weeks. The level of effort is estimated to 20 man 

days, to be shared by an international and local consultant. Time breakdown will be set by the team in 

consultation with EKN. The budget should cover all consulting fees, including for national consultants and all 

travel expenses, including travel to and within the region. 

9. Consultant Qualifications 

The international consultant should have a good grasp of the IWRM concept with 10 years of experience in 

the water sector, preferably in Africa. Knowledge and experience on water issues related to food security are 

preferred. The international consultant should be familiar with DGIS policies and should have a profound 

knowledge of Dutch partners with relevant expertise that may have an interest to become involved in the 

East African region. 

The local consultant should be familiar with the water sector in Rwanda and preferably with the regional 

context, e.g. Burundi, Eastern DRC, Tanzania and Uganda. 

Page 30


Annex 2. Programme of the Mission in Rwanda 

Day-date Time Organisation Meeting 

Tuesday 9 19.00 US RIWSP Coenraad Voorhuis (WINROCK), Raymond Venneker and 

Jochen Wenniger (IHE) 

Wednesday 10 9.00 EKN Jolke Oppewal, Gaspard Ndagijimana 

11.00 MINERENA Director of water resource management :Vincent de Paul Kabalisa , and 

Charge de l’ amenagement du basin de Kivu: Remy Mugunga 

14.00 EU Diego Zuldo; in charge of water sector 

15.00 MININFRA Augustine Umutoni, Lake Kivu Monitoring 

16.00 World Bank Bruno Mwanafunzi;WSP program 

Thursday 11 9.00 MINAGRI Chairman of the irrigation task force JJ Mbonigaba and 

his vice chairman and irrigation engineer JC Musabyimana 

10.00 NBI-NELSAP Emmanuel Olet, water sector coordinator 

11.00 EWSA Yves Muyange, DG 

12.00 MINELA Emmanuel Hategeka, water supply and sanitation at policy level 

14.00 SIDA Janvier Ntarindwa; in charge of water sector in SIDA 

15.00 UNICEF Guy Mbayo; in charge of water in UNICEF 

16.00 WORLD VISION In charge of WASH Pascal Karemera 

Friday 12 8.30 EWSA Technical group : Sano(Deputy dir. in charge of water and 

sanitation,Yussufu Uwamahoro (Dep. director in charge of energy), 

Kanyesheja (Dir. of water and sanitation , Minani (Dir of water 

distribution) 

10.00 AfDB Ephrem Rutaboba; specialist in charge of water sector 

11.00 SNV Beatrice Mukasine, Erik van Waveren; WASH advisor and sector 

leader 

14.00 Water Aid Noella Urwibutso, water sector coordinator 

Saturday 13 9.00 Aqua Virunga Joseph Usabimana; director of the private operator 

10.00 MINECOFIN Elias Bayingana; National budget director 

11.00 NBI Innocent Kabenga 

Monday 15 10.00 NRA Emmanuel Nkurunziza 

11.00 NBDF John Gakumba, NGO representative 

Page 31


12.00 US AID Aimée Mpambara 

13.00 MININFRA Emmanuel Hategeka 

Tuesday 16 9.00 Water for People Perpetue Kamuyumbu, NGO representative 

10.00 MINAGRI Ernest Ruzindaza, PS 

11.00 MININFRA Claire Mukasine, PS 

12.00 REMA Rose Mukankomeje, DG 

14.00 CARE INTERNATIONAL Emile Ruzibiza,Water sector coordinator 

15.00 EKN Frans Makken, Frieda Nicolia, Gaspard Ndagijimana 

16.00 MINALOC Cyrille Turatsinze, PS 

Page 32


Annex 3. Contact details of persons 

Name Institution Function Email Telephone 

Elias Baingana MINECOFIN Director National Budget 

eliasbaingana@yahoo.co 

m 

elias.baingana@minecofi 

n.gov.rw 788303373 

John Gakumba NBDF National Coordinator coordinator@nbdf.org 782792690 

Emmanuel Hategekimana 

MININFRA 

Director of Energy, 

water & Sanitation 

emma.hategekimana@m 

ininfra.gov.rw 788620930 

Vincent de Paul Kabalisa 

RNRA 

Deputy Director Water 

ressource management 

Unit info@minirena.gov.rw 785545307 

Innocent Kabenga 

NBI- 

NELSAP/Kag 

era Project 

Regional Deputy 

Project Manager 

ikabenga@nilebasin.or 

g 788301156 

Augustin Kampayana 

MINALOC 

Director of resettlement 

augustinkampayana@y 

ahoo.com 0788303411 

Perpetue Kamuyumbu 

Water for 

People 

Country Director 

pkamuyumbu@waterfo 

rpeople.org 788304675 

Jean Bosco Kanyesheja 

EWSA 

Director of water and 

Sanitation Development 

Division jbkanyesheja@ewsa.rw 788306903 

Pascal Karemera 

World Vision 

Director Quality 

Assurance 

pascal_karemera@wvi. 

org 788301527 

Frans Makken 

Embassy of 

the Kingdom 

of the 

Netherlands Ambassador fa.makken@minbuza.nl 252584711 

Guy Mbayo K. 

UNICEF 

Chief, Water Sanitation 

and Hygiene 

gmbayokakumbi@unic 

ef.org 788301396 

Jean Jacques Mbonigaba Muhinda MINAGRI 

Chairman, Task Force for 

Irrigation&Mechanizatio 

n mbonjac@yahoo.fr 788301123 

Aimée Mpambara 

USAID 

Rural development 

Specialist ampambara@usaid.gov 252596400 

Remy Mugunga MINIRENA info@minirena.gov.rw 788302416 

Page 33


Rose Mukankomeje REMA Director General dgrema@gmail.com 788300208 

Beatrice Mukasine 

SNV 

Water, Sanitation and 

Hygiene Advisor 

bmukasine@snvworld.org252599520 

Marie Claire Mukasine MININFRA Permanent Secretary 

mmukasine@gmail.com 

ps.mclaire@mininfra.gov 

.rw 

252585860 

0788 300753 

Philippe Munyaruyenzi AFDB Infrastructure specialist p.munyaruyenzi@afdb.org788589299 

Jean Claude Musabyimana MINAGRI Irrigation Engineer 

Yves Muyange EWSA Chief Executive Officer ymuyange@ewsa.rw 788307149 

Bruno Mwanafunzi 

World 

Bank/Water 

and 


Program WSP specialist bmwanafunzi@worldbank.org 788309103 

Gaspard Ndagijimana 

Embassy of 


of the 

Netherlands 

Policy Officer 

Development 

Cooperation, Rural 

Development and 

Regional Development 

gaspard.ndagijimana@ 

minibuza.nl 252584711 

Frieda Nicolai 

Embassy of 


of the 

Netherlands 

First Secretary 

Friede.Nicolai@minbuz 

a.nl 252584711 

Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza RNRA Director General 

enziza2001@yahoo.co 

m 788300522 

Janvier Ntalindwa 

Embassy of 

Sweden/SIDA 

Programme Officer 

Environment and 

Natural Resources 

janvier.ntalindwa@sida 

.se 788304992 

Richard Nyirishema 

SNV 

Water, Sanitation and 

Hygiene Advisor 

rnyirishema@snvworld 

.org 252599520 

Ir.Emmanuel Olet 

NBI 

Programme Officer 

Water resources 

Management 

Development eolet@nilebasin.org 788791961 

Jolke Oppewal 

Embassy of 


of the 

Netherlands 

First Secretary, Head 

Development 

Cooperation 

jolke.oppewal@minbuza.nl252584711 

Page 34


Ephrem Rutaboba AFDB Consultant e.rutaboba@afdb.org 788301585 

Eng.Emile Ruzibiza 

Care 

International 

Community Water and 

Sanitation Project 

Manager emiler.rw@co.care.org 252546592 

Ernest Ruzindaza MINAGRI Permanent Secretary ruzindazaernest@yahoo.fr252584644 

James Sano 

EWSA 

Deputy Director Water 

and sanitation jamsano@gmail.com 788307891 

Cyrille Turatsizne MINALOC Permanent Secretary cyrille.turatsinze@minaloc.gov.rw 0788309370 

Augusta Umutoni MC MININFRA Lake Kivu Monitoring umutoniaugustamc@yahoo.fr 788647474 

Noella Joyeuse Urwibutso WaterAid Program Manager noellaurwibutso@wateraid.org 252579650 

Joseph Usabimana 

AQUAVIRUN 

GA s.a.r.l Directeur gerant aquavirunga@rwanda1.com252503740 

Erik Van Waveren SNV Portfolio Coordinator evanwaveren@snvworld.org 252599520 

Diego Zurdo 

European 

Union 

2nd secretary-Head of 

section Rural 

development 

diego.zurdo@eeas.europa.eu 788302092 

Page 35


Annex 4. Targets EDPRS 2008-2012 

Page 36


Annex 5. Institutional Framework of IWRM 

No. Institution Function and responsibilities related to WRM 

Policy and Oversight Institutions 

Formulation of Water resources management policy, strategic planning, coordination, 

1 Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) 

quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation and capacity building. 

Put in place legal and regulatory framework. 

Establishment, development and facilitation of the management of efficient and 

2 Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) 

effective decentralized government systems capable of law enforcement and delivery 

of required services to the local communities. 

3 

Development, planning and coordination of the implementation of agricultural 

Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and 

affiliated agencies 

development policy in the country including irrigation, fishery and livestock. 

Development of institutional and legal frameworks, national policies, strategies 

4 Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) 

and master plans relating to water supply and sanitation, energy and 

transport subsectors. 

5 Ministry of Health (MINISANTE) Policy formulation and promotion of hygiene and public health. 

6 

Ministry of Family and Gender Promotion 

(MIGEPROF) 

Coordination of gender, promotion and mainstreaming and family planning activities. 

Promotion of education including/capacity building and curricula development 

7 Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) 

relating to water sciences and research on water resources management in schools 

and other educational institutions. 

8 

9 

Ministry of Commerce (MINICOM) and 

affiliated agencies 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs And Cooperation 

(MINAFFET) 

Financing Institutions 

Policy formulation and promotion of investments by the private sector in water 

resources management/industries and manufacturing. 

Foreign and diplomatic relations including regional and international cooperation 

over shared waters. 

10 

Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic 

Development (MINECOFIN) 

Mobilization and allocation of financial resources for water resources development. 

11 Development partners 

Provision and mobilization of financial and technical resources for implementing 

water resources management and development sector activities. 

Regulatory Institutions 

Page 37


No. Institution Function and responsibilities related to WRM 

12 

Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) Develop regulations and ensure protection and conservation of the Environment and 

natural resources across the Country. 

13 Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) Enforcement of compliance by public utilities with the laws governing their activities. 

14 Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) 

15 Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA) 

Provision of standards based solutions for Consumer Protection and Trade promotion 

for socio-economic growth in a safe and stable environment. 

Autonomous agency responsible for management of natural resources including 

water resources management and allocation 

Management/service Institutions 

16 

Energy,Water and Sanitation Authority 

(EWSA) 

Autonomous agency responsible for the delivery of water supply and sewerage 

services in the major towns and large urban centres including provision of oversight 

and support services to the local communities and other water supply service providers. 

17 Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Facilitation of investment and support services to investors. 

18 User Communities 

Management of water resources in the course of their productive and consumptive 

activities on a day to day basis 

19 Districts Implementation of the government policies and laws 

Design, construction, operation and maintenance of water resources management 

20 Private Sector 

infrastructure. Conduct training and capacity building for both central and local 

government staff. Provision of other commercial services. 

21 Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Supplement the public sector efforts in water resource management and development. 

Page 38


Annex 6. Division of Labour 2011 

Education 

Health & Population 

Social Protection 

Employment & Capacity 


Youth, Sports & Culture 

Transport & ICT 

Energy 

Water & Sanitation 

Agriculture 

Forestry, Land & 

Environment 

Manufacturing Services & Off 

farm Industry 

Belgium x x x 

Canada 

Germany x X x 

x 

Decentralisation/CDF 

Justice, Reconciliation, Law & 

Order 

Japan x x x 

Netherlands x x x 

Sweden X x x 

UK x i X o 

US x X x 

AfDB x x x x 

EC x o x 

WB x x x 

Switzerland x x 

France 

x 

Austria 

x 

Luxembourg 

x 

IFAD x x 

OFID x x 

BADEA x x 

Saudi Fund x x 

Kuwait Fund x x 

China x x x 

South Korea 

x 

Remarks regarding the sector of water: this area concerns only water and sanitation, IWRM is not specified 

in the Division of Labour. JICA is mainly in rural areas and has its focus on infrastructure. AfDB has been/is 

co-financing urban water supply in Kigali including water treatment plant and distribution networks. 

Financed a study on urban sanitation and solid waste. Rural water & sanitation is being supported since 

2005. AfDB wants to be a catalyst in water and sanitation financing and attract other Development Partners 

and International Financing Institutions to this sector. AfDB is the co-chair in the Working Group. Austria is 

not substantially in water and sanitation anymore (2011) 

Page 39


Annex 7 Report on meetings held with institutional representation on the water scoping <strong>mission</strong> in 

Rwanda 

Tuesday, 9 th August 2011, 9 p.m.: Meeting with Rene Venneker,Jochen Wenninger from UNESCO-IHE and 

Coenraad Voorhuis from Winrock International 

The meeting with Venneker was held at Novotel, where the team explained to us the program they are 

working on: Rwanda Integrated Water Security Program (RIWSP); which is a 5 years program supported by 

USAID of around 21,000,000 Millions USD. 

The main objective of this program is to improve the sustainable management of water quantity and quality 

to positively impact human health, food security, and resiliency to climate change for vulnerable populations 

in targeted catchments of Rwanda. 

The program will cover seven district of Akagera and Akanyaru sub basins; those district are Bugesera, 

Nyagatare, Gatsibo,Kayonza, Huye, Nyanza, and Gisagara 

The program will be executed by five organizations as CARE, Winrock International, World Vision, ICIWaRM 

and UNESCO-IHE. 

UNESCO-IHE will be in charge of installation and management of hydrological equipments in the selected 

catchments while Winrocks will construct small dams for irrigation as well as providing water for drinking 

purposes. 

The program has already a Country Director: 

David Mutekanga 

B.P 5948 Kigali 

Tel: 0784762909 

Email: dmutekanga@globalwaters.net 

Wednesday 10 th ,August, 2011: RNRA, 11.00 a.m 

At 11.00 a.m, we met the deputy director of the Rwanda Natural Resource Authority (RNRA) in charge of 

water resource management department Vincent de Paul Kabalisa and Remy Mugunga, the officer in charge 

of management of Lake Kivu in the Ministry of natural resource. (MINIRENA). 

Vincent de Paul explained us the new restructure with the new authority in charge of natural resource, which 

has now a water resource management department among its departments. 

Currently the department has developed the national water resource management policy and its strategic 

plan for the next 5 years which are waiting for approval by the government. 

The department want also to develop an IWRM master plan in the near future as well as other legislative 

tools to implement the policy. 

The main problems which may be encountered in the execution of the strategic plan, is fund availability. A 

good mechanism should be put in place to ensure, to attract donors in the water resource management sector 

as few are interested in that sector. 

Page 40


In addition, the department is in the process of staffing and qualified staffs may also be a handicap for the 

good management of the sector. 

Wednesday 10 th ,August, 2011: European Union, 2.00 p.m 

At 2.p.m we met with Diego Zuldo, in charge of water sector in the European Union Office Rwanda. The EU is 

not an active actor in the water sector, instead they are active in : 

- Justice 

- Transport and 

- Rural support and agriculture. 

Basically they contribute on water resource management through the agriculture sector and water facilities 

projects. 

Currently they have funded the feasibility studies for Rusizi 3 and Rusizi 4 and they are supporting the 

Rusizi-Kivu authority (ABAKIRU) establishment in terms of office equipment and running for the next coming 

2 years. In this regard, EU will pay 64% while the Rwandan government will pay 36%. 

For water facilities projects, 3 projects are undergoing: 

- AVSI: a WASH project on providing water for 20,000 peoples in Gicumbi; 

- FEA: a WASH project in the south: Nyamagabe, Huye, Nyaruguru and Gisagara 

- PEPAPS: large scale projects with BTS as co-funding 

The three projects have a portfolio of 4-10 Millions of Euro. 

Talking on weakness in general in Rwanda, he emphasized on: 

- Lack of private initiative; 

- Taking care of infrastructure put in place; 

- Setting appropriate price structure. 

Evaluation of their projects focus mainly on capacity building at local level how the project has contributed to 

it. Specifically they are looking at: 

- Capacity building at local level, 

- Implication of users/sustainability after the project at the end. 

In general, at district level, power is getting closer and closer but in practice local leaders are getting more 

and more tasks thus not fully focusing on their tasks. 

Wednesday 10 th ,August, 2011: MININFRA, 3.00 p.m 

At 3.p.m, we met Augusta in charge of Lake Kivu monitoring at MININFRA. 

She started by explaining duties of that section which is to monitor the lake; up to now they are conducting 

physico-chemical monitoring tests and they have organized the first national workshop on Lake Kivu which 

was grouping all stakeholders of the Lake Kivu in 2007. 

Page 41


Looking on cooperation with the Netherlands; they have helped them to make a Strategic Impact Assessment 

of the Lake Kivu and also to buy equipments which are being used for monitoring the physical-chemical 

parameters of the Lake. 

With the new restructuring of the water sector, the monitoring of the Lake Kivu has also been shifted in 

EWSA. 

In regards, to ABAKIRU, it is planned to start before the end of 2011; and they are still confusion if the 

methan gas extraction of Lake Kivu will also move into ABAKIRU as it covering only two countries Congo and 

Rwanda. 

Wednesday 10 th ,August, 2011: WORLD BANK, 4.00 p.m. 

Bruno Mwanafunzi explained as how since 2008, the World Bank is supporting water and sanitation sector 

through the Water Supply and Sanitation Program (WSP). The leading donor in the water & Sanitation sector 

being the AfDB. 

Officially, WB is supporting through the division of labor: 

- Electricity, 

- Agriculture and 

- Transport. 

The water and sanitation sector was a working group chaired by MININFRA and AfDB, while WSP is assuring 

the secretariat. 

UNICEF and WSP recently supported financially the review of the WSS policy and financial mechanisms study 

for the water sector has been carried out; the latter waiting for approval by the government. 

Three main active actors in the management of the water infrastructure are: 

- District level: the administration 

- Association of users 

- Private sector. 

At the beginning, it was mainly the mandate of the association of users to manage the water supply schemes 

developed under the supervision of district, but with time it was find out that, association of users was not 

successful as predicted, and therefore the involvement of the private sector were found necessary. 

For the sanitation sector, WSP is closely working with the Ministry of Health; and in near future a behavior 

change workshop is organized for health workers of 5 districts chosen as Pilot under the program BHECPP. 

On where Bruno as a specialist in the sector , see the intervention of the Netherlands government, he 

recommended : 

- Urban water and sanitation infrastructure; 

- Capacity building; 

- Water management. 

Page 42


Thursday 11 th ,August, 2011: MINAGRI, 9.00 a.m. 

On Thursday, we met MINAGRI, the chairman of the irrigation task force Jean Jacques Mbonigaba. 

He specifically explained the achievement of the task force: 

- They now have an irrigation master plan for the whole country; 

- District irrigation master plan; 

However, he emphasized on the lack of the irrigation policy as well as strategic action plan. 

Currently, they have an ambition of irrigating 100,000 ha by 2020; where 35,000 ha will be on hillside and 

65,000 ha on marchlands. 

In marchlands they have already irrigated 17,000 ha where 90% of it is for rice cultivation. 

Main donors in the irrigation are for marchlands, through RSSP; it 100% WB funded where for LWH it is 80% 

WB funded. Other projects in irrigation include the Irrigation project in Bugesera which is funded by the 

AfDB, Irrigation project of Gatsibo funded by IFAD and another irrigation project for Bugesera which is 

fudned by Lux Development. 

Beside donors, the government of Rwanda too, is investing heavily in the irrigation sector where 40% of the 

national budget is for irrigation on both marchlands and hillsides. 

Currently there are hillsides irrigation projects in Kirehe and Nyagatare for 1,000 ha, funded by the 

government, where water for irrigation will comes from lakes. 

In regards to Marchlands, they are now funding the development of 2,000 ha on small marchlands in 11 

districts. 

Each irrigation project small or big goes hands in hands with farmers cooperative and water users association 

establishment. 

Specifically water users association is a mandatory as there is even a ministerial decree in that regards. In the 

near future, they will even be represented at ministerial level. 

It is well developed in such way that they are even being registered by the Ministry of Justice before being 

operational. 

Thursday 11 th ,August, 2011: NBI-NELSAP, 10.30 a.m. 

We also met Emmanuel Olet, the engineer in charge of water resource management department under the 

NBI-NELSAP; which has explained to us the transboundary action on the Rwandan side. 

Several studies including navigability studies on AKagera, Integrated river basin management and 

development strategy for Akagera river were developed. 

Reports of those different studies are available. 

Thursday 11 th ,August, 2011: EWSA, 11.30 a.m. 

We met the director general of EWSA, Yves Muyange, who shortly explained the water sector under EWSA. 

Page 43


In terms of water supply, the daily deficit currently is 20,000 m 3 /day and will increase up to 40,000 m 3 /day 

in 2020. 

He also indicated that the access rate in terms of water supply in the whole country is 80% with some of 

infrastructure not working anymore. 

There is a need to increase the access in the rural area. 

Among priorities projects they are planning to develop a master plan on water and sanitation and 

Nyabarongo 2 project. 

Thursday 11 th ,August, 2011: SIDA, 14.00 p.m. 

Mr. Janvier Ntalindwa who is charge of environment and natural resource at SIDA, explained to us different 

actions in the natural resource management sector done by SIDA: 

- They supported land tenure regulation, 

- Capacity building of the national land center, 

- Support several action for REMA, 

- Forestry sector in the eastern province through reforestation. 

He also emphasized the weakness of the water resource management sector as in : 

- Capacity building and 

- Awareness on the importance of water resource management. 

SIDA is the only donor acting in the water resource management, currently, they are investing up to 2Million 

Euro per year. 

Priorities should be done in: 

- Technical assistance of the sector, 

- Quantification and quality assurance of water resource ; 

- Capacity building at all level even downstream at the end users; 

There is a water resource management thematic working group chaired by the water resource management 

department and co chaired by USAID; other actors of the sector include SIDA, UNICEF, MINIRENA, AfDB, NBI- 

NELSAP… 

He recommended the support from Netherlands being oriented in the water resource management as there 

are less actors than other sectors. 

Thursday 11 th ,August, 2011: UNICEF, 15.00 p.m. 

Guy Mbayo in charge of the water and sanitation unit under UNICEF gave us a clear picture of UNICEF action 

in that sector. 

That sector is being funded by the Netherlands embassy. 

Page 44


The coverage on water and sanitation is around 74% and there are disparity between urban and rural water 

and sanitation sector. 

The main challenges are in: 

- Tarrification, 

- Public Private Partnership (PPP) and 

- Land problems (spring intake, its protection..etc..) 

He recommended the intervention of the Netherlands government to continue to support the water and 

sanitation sector thought their mutual cooperation. 

Thursday 11 th ,August, 2011: WORLD VISION, 4.45 p.m. 

At the end of the second day, we met Mr. Pascal Karemera who is in charge of the quality assurance at World 

Vision; he explained their role in the water and sanitation sector. 

World Vision is covering 21 districts in the whole country but they are fully present and involved in only 14 

districts. 

They are having several donors which include the US government and they will also be involved in the new 

program RIWSP. 

He recommended to support the water and sanitation sector, but in addition to work with more actors than 

only one actor(reference to the cooperation with UNICEF) and also to concentrate in prone area where there 

is a very high need such as the Eastern Province. 

Friday 12 th ,August, 2011: EWSA, 8.30 a.m. 

Earlier Friday, we met with the technical team of EWSA made of Sano Anselme Kanyesheja Jean Bosco, 

director of water development project and Sano Anselme, the deputy director of water and sanitation 

department. 

This department is new, many actions were done at ministerial level. 

The main challenge is the lack of stronger management of water infrastructure at district level, 

First priorities in rural areas: 

- Infrastructure rehabilitation, 

- Sustainable management of the rehabilitated systems. 

The needs at national level: 

- National water supply master plan, 

- Capacity buildings, 

- Nyabarongo 2. 

Page 45


Friday 12 th ,August, 2011: AfDB, 10.15 a.m. 

At the African Development Bank, we met the Ephrem Rutaboba the water specialist and Philippe 

Munyaruyenzi, the infrastructure specialist. 

They informed us that AfDB is co-chairing the water and sanitation thematic working group. They support the 

government through : 

- Government budget support; 

- Project oriented approach. 

On water resource management , there is a lack of data on water quality as well as water quantity. 

As a recommendation, the water resource management should be among priorities as there are few donors in 

the sector. 

Friday 12 th ,August, 2011: SNV-RWANDA, 11.00 a.m. 

At SNV Rwanda, we met the team made of :Eric Van Waveren, the country representative, Beatrice Mukasine, 

WASH advisor, Richard Nyirishema WASH advisor and Esdras as a student in intership. 

They explained us different activities done by SNV Rwanda in different sectors as Agriculture, Renewable 

energy and WASH mainly for capacity development services. 

The NGO is currently employing 16 peoples with 2 in the WASH sector. 

SNV Rwanda in its all project emphasize on local partnership with local organization in the implementation of 

the project. 

In the presentation made on the water sector: 

- Daily water consumption is 6-8l/cap/day in rural areas, 

- It takes 29 minutes for fetching in rural areas on average, 

- SNV in WASH work in 4 districts as Nyabihu, Rubavu, Bulera, and Musanze with the collaboration 

with UNICEF and MININFRA 

Challenges and needs in the WASH sector, include : 

- Need of monitoring of PPP at district level, 

- To increase the strength of JADF 

- Try to implement project through IRWM. 

Friday 12 th ,August, 2011: WaterAid,2.00.p.m. 

We met the program manager of WaterAid at 2.p.m. who gave us a clear picture of all actions of the NGO. 

The NGO is mainly working in Bugesera District where they are piloting rainwater harvesting storage tank. 

Page 46


They are also working with MININFRA on data reconciliation, where they are making a water point mapping 

for Bugesera. 

As recommendation, if investment has to be done, it should be in sanitation sector in urban areas, as wells 

reinforcement of M&E in the water and sanitation sector. 

Saturday 13 th ,August, 2011: Aqua-Virunga, 09.00 a.m. 

Joseph Usabimana , legal representative of Aqua –Virunga, explained to us how their PPP works: they are 

partnering with PWN a dutch company which is owning 51% of shares in Aqua Virunga where by the 49% 

are owned by Aqua Rwanda. 

The PPP started with the water supply management system of Rubavu District which got funding from PSOM 

for rehabilitation and management at the end. A m 3 of water is sold at 673 Rwf. 

Where: 

- 425 Rwf goes to Aqua virunga; 

- 90 Rwfs goes to Association of Users; 

- 50 Rwfs goes to the district; 

- 108 Rwfs goes to VAT. 

The PPP is going well and has got another contract with Musanze district. 

Saturday 13 th ,August, 2011: MINECOFIN, 10.00 a.m. 

At MINECOFIN, we met the National Budget Director, Elias Bayingana who gave us the budget allocation for 

different sectors. 

The water resource management does not have a proper budget on its own, its budget is under the water and 

sanitation budget which is 4-6% of the total national budget representing around 19.7 billions. 

On this budget, 80% goes to MININFRA while 20% goes to MINIRENA. 

In general, 

- MINECOFIN is committed to for economic development, 

- The ministry in charge of environment should do more advocacy for the sector, and in regard to 

which sector to prioritize in the water sector, 

- It is up to relevant ministry to make their own priorities and present them to MINECOFIN. 

Monday 15 th ,August, 2011: RNRA, 10.00 a.m. 

The director general of the Rwanda National Resource Authority (RNRA), Emmanuel Nkurunziza received us 

on Monday at 10.00 a.m. 

Page 47


RNRA is newly established and has combined following departments: land, water resource management, 

forestry, mines and geology. 

Water resource department was a small department under the ministry of natural resource, which explain 

the lack of adequate capacity building. 

Challenges in that sector include mainly : 

- the lack of data which is very critical looking at the demand of different sectors such as irrigation, 

water supply and water for energy etc… 

- the lack of water quantity and quality assessment; 

- lack of monitoring network system; 

- capacity building for the required staffs, 

- trainings, short terms for the required technicians; etc…. 

On why water sector in Rwanda should be given a priority instead of another country: 

- Density is very high, 

- Needs are high compared to the limited capacity available; 

- Demand in Rwanda is very high compared to other country; 

- Stability in the whole region; 

- Investing in water sector in Rwanda will have more impact not only for Rwanda but also for the 

region, Congo, Burundi, etc… 

- Also the fact that WRM is a new sector , it means a lot needs to be done; 

Priorities for the sector will be: 

- Capacity building at main institutional level; 

- Strategic plan to be executed; 

- Building the institution (RNRA). 

Monday 15 th ,August, 2011: USAID, 12.00 a.m. 

We met Aime Mpambara, the rural development specialist who also explained the new program RIWSP which 

is supported by USAID. The program will be for 5 years, and it is around 21,000,000 USD. 

The program will support water supply and sanitation, irrigation, small loans for the covered population, 

etc… 

It is covering some district of Eastern and Nothern Province (see meeting with Venneker). 

Monday 15 th ,August, 2011: MININFRA, 13.00 a.m. 

Page 48


We met with the director of Energy, water and sanitation in MININFRA Emmanuel Hategekimana, who 

explained to us the role of MININFRA nowadays in those sectors as policy elaboration, monitoring and funds 

mobilization. 

He explained different projects in those sectors at national level and cross cutting projects such as Rusizi 3 

and Rusizi 4. Maintenance of Rusizi 2, Rusumo Falls project, Nyabarongo 2.etc… 

About challenges encountered capacity building at district level should be prioritized. 

Which area to be given a priority, rural water supply and sanitation is where efforts should be oriented. 

Tuesday 16 th ,August, 2011: NBDF, 08.00 a.m. 

Nile basin Discourse Forum (NBDF) is an NGO which is combining all NGOs working in Nile basin countries 

and specifically those advocating for the environment. 

Beside working with NGOs, NBDF also works with CBOs in awareness for sustainable management of 

available resource. 

They are doing trainings in different sectors such as water resource management, renewable energy, 

environmental impact assessment etc… NBDF has 4 full time staffs. 

Tuesday 16 th ,August, 2011: WATER FOR PEOPLES, 09.00 a.m. 

Water for peoples in NGO working in 2 districts RUlindo and Kicukiro. In Rulindo they work in the entire 

district while in Kicukiro they started with 4 sectors as Kigarama, Gahanga, Masaka and Kanombe. 

These two districts were assigned to them by the government. 

Their main focus is in water and sanitation sector. 

They approach is to make sure that where they operate every one can assess water and sanitation facilities 

;they cover the whole district and move into another district. 

In each district they start by conducting their own baseline, then plan for the findings and execute. 

The Rulindo project is a 4 years program which has three main actors as MININFRA with 30%, WATER FOR 

PEOPLES with 55% and RULINDO District with 15%. 

Among the priorities : 

- Infrastructure in Water and Sanitation sector are more needed; 

- Management is very crucial, maintenance should be emphasized as well as monitoring and 

evaluation; 

Tuesday 16 th ,August, 2011: MINAGRI-PS, 10.00 a.m. 

Page 49


Permenant secretary of MINAGRI, Ernest Ruzindaza started by briefing us on the agriculture sector in 

general, then specifically on different action in irrigation. 

They want to move more on MUS projects where they can combine irrigation, water supply and water for 

irrigation. 

MINIRENA should be for policy elaboration and water allocation to avoid conflict with other sectors. 

On which sector to support, he suggested synergy on both agriculture and water & sanitation sector not only 

supporting one sector. 

Water resource management should be looked at policy level, management such as establishment of water 

users association but also support to one of the other sectors with a big project should be prioritized.(water 

for supply & sanitation, irrigation..etc..) 

On why water in Rwanda not another country: 

- Rwanda is on its way to meet MDGs- good track on water and sanitation sector 

- Good track on food security; 

- Funds will be used in a more sustainable way than any other country. 

Tuesday 16 th ,August, 2011: MININFRA-PS, 11.00 a.m. 

The permanent Secretary of MININFRA, exposed the water and sanitation sector : 

For water sector: 

- Rural areas: there is a gap in the access of some regions in the Southern Province such as 

Ruhango,Kamonyi, Muhanga; studies are being conducted but there is a lack of funds. 

- The Northern Province is supported by UNICEF for only 4 districts, other districts needs also 

supports. 

- In the Eastern province, JICA cover Kirehe, Ngoma and Nyagatare where in Nyagatare there is an 

increasing demand due to the town expansion & population growth. 

Another important need will be the rehabilitation of existing water supply system for both Rural and Urban 

areas. 

For the sanitation sector: 

- Ecosan initiatives at districts level are being done but there is a need to expand and increase their 

numbers; 

- For Kigali city, study on WWTP and sewerage is available but funds are not available for execution; 

- Sanitation accessibility is not proportional to water accessibility, sanitation sector should be given 

priority; 

- Existing latrines does not meet the standards, 

- For WWTP, not only Kigali city should be considered but also other cities; 

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For Water resource management, as it is an important issue, it should be looked at as integrated manner in 

order to ensure sustainability. 

Funds mobilization still a responsibility of the ministry; 

On PPP, it is very successful for rural areas, however for its success good tarification is a key structure. 

In all sector, capacity building should also given an priority especially in infrastructure management. 

On why water in Rwanda: 

- Good use of funds, 

- Very ambitious targets, 

- Good environment for doing business, 

- Performance is high compared to other countries, 

- Strong institutional framework, zero tolerance, good governance is highly achieved, 

- Monitoring system very good (audit) 

Tuesday 16 th ,August, 2011: REMA-DG, 12.00 a.m. 

The general director of REMA presented the environmental situation of Rwanda, where by guidelines, 

standards, report of the state of environment have been developed. 

State of environment is published every two years. 

Specifically on the water sector, among first challenges we have: 

- Water quantity, 

- Water quality, 

- Water penetration rate has reduced du to high pressure on soil, 

- Agricultural practice, even if there are measures against erosion, a lot of soil is being lost; 

WRM is very important as it is a key factor for all water utilization, we shall however start by quantification 

and qualification. 

So where to allocate funds, the water resource management should be prioritized. 

Why to invest in Rwanda: 

- 1$ invested is coming back, cost effectiveness; 

- After the genocide, the country has made efforts in the education, justice, it is time now to pay more 

attention on water sector, 

- High density, high population and high demand, 

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- Zero tolerance on corruption, 

- Commitment, 

- Being contrary located, it can be a good example for other countries, 

Tuesday 16 th ,August, 2011: MINALOC-PS, 16.00 p.m. 

The permanent secretary of MINALOC, Cyrille Turatsinze started by exposing to us several initiatives which 

are undergoing in his ministry. 

Specifically he saluted the importance of water in the livelihood of the population; its coverage has to be 

increased not only for water and sanitation, but also for other initiative such as home garden program, water 

harvesting techniques, for a better rural areas. 

As we are have adopted a decentralized system, capacity building at district level is necessary especially for 

infrastructure management. 

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Scoping mission on water in rwanda - Partners voor Water

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