Rwanda

Approach

EnDev Rwanda facilitated the development of four micro hydro power (MHPP) plants, has implemented two results-based financing (RBF) projects for decentralised energy solutions and, in 2020, launched the project “Reducing climate impact of cooking in Rwanda through improved cooking energy systems” (ReCIC). In addition, it supports several authorities in the country in establishing a suitable regulatory energy framework. Until 2011, EnDev Rwanda was also active in the biogas sector. More recently, EnDev has piloted approaches to supporting productive use of energy (PUE) including launching the first solar cold-storage-as-a-service pilot in Rwanda.

Learn more about ReCIC in Rwanda

Development of a private on-grid hydro sector
EnDev is implementing the project “Private Sector Participation in Micro-hydro Power Supply for Rural Development” (PSP Hydro). Supported by the project, the first privately-owned micro hydropower plant in Rwanda started feeding into the national grid (96 kW) in 2010, followed by three further projects. Three hydro power plants are still under construction and will add a total of 2 MW to the national grid.

Sector development through results-based financing
In 2014, EnDev Rwanda started to provide support to private solar companies and mini-grid developers through results-based financing, supported by UK Aid. The key objective of the two RBF programmes was to boost energy access markets through private sector-led development. Through the RBF programmes, EnDev has contributed to positioning off-grid renewable energy technologies as a means to achieving universal energy access in Rwanda. Following the significant impact of the solar program, EnDev Rwanda launched the Pro-Poor RBF, supported by USAID, a market-based alternative to reach low-income households with solar products. In 2021, the GoR took up the Pro-Poor RBF and scaled it up to a 30 million nation-wide programme. The Village Grid RBF helped raise the profile of the mini-grid sector. A new mini-grid RBF programme was launched in early 2022, integrating lessons learned from the previous programme.

Climate change mitigation in the cooking sector
The GoR, through its Biomass Energy Strategy (BEST) seeks to reduce the share of households using inefficient cooking solutions from 83.3% (2014) to 42% by 2024. To date, nearly 70% of the population continues to use three-stones and traditional stoves for cooking. EnDev’s ReCIC project, cofinanced by the European Union under the GCCA+ initiative, aims to address this challenge by supporting the sustainable production and dissemination of improved cookstoves (ICS) and alternative fuels. Moreover, EnDev is working with the GoR in strengthening the regulatory framework, the testing capacities and overall sector coordination to improve the existing market conditions. In 2021, EnDev advised the GoR in developing a Clean Cooking Compact and recruited an international expert to support the cooking team within the Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL).

Expanding into humanitarian and agricultural energy access

In 2023, EnDev initiated a partnership with Practical Action under the RBF for Refugees (RBF4R) initiative, building on a successful Swedish-funded humanitarian energy project. The collaboration aims to expand access to higher-tier cooking stoves in five refugee camps. By early 2025, over 200 forced-air stoves had been distributed through three contracted stove companies. Additionally, 50 women entrepreneurs are receiving support to use energy productively. Two suppliers have been contracted, and appliance distribution (e.g. refrigerators) is underway.

In 2024, EnDev launched the PURE.Ag project (“Productive Use of Renewable Energy in Agricultural Value Chains”) in partnership with MC-E4I and EUCORD. The initiative enables smallholder farmers to access solar-powered irrigation systems via flexible payment models such as Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo). Four local solar pump suppliers are actively engaged, backed by results-based financing. Farmers, local authorities, agronomists, and financial institutions are being trained in the use and financing of the irrigation kits.

Productive use of energy as a new focus
EnDev Rwanda initially identified productive use of energy (PUE) as a strategic intervention area complementary to the ongoing mini-grid development. The AVSI-implemented PUE program (01/2020-07/2022) supported entrepreneurs (39% female) over six mini-grid sites, which received entrepreneurship training. Supported businesses range from carpenters to tailors and barbers as well as providers of digital services. The entrepreneurs were able to purchase appliances through a matching grant scheme.
To expand its PUE activities, EnDev Rwanda acquired funding from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) Innovation Fund. The new project titled “Cold Storage as a Service” pilots an innovative solar-powered cold storage technology and business model in cooperation with a private sector partner at local market sites in Rwanda. The first walk-in cold rooms were installed at the end of 2022.

Learn more about PUE in Rwanda