WASHINGTON, December 14, 2015 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $95million International Development Association (IDA)* credit for the Rwanda Electricity Sector Strengthening Project (RESSP). The financing will help the government to increase electricity access and enhance the operational efficiency of the energy utility.
Through its capacity strengthening component, the project will support the Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUCL) in establishing a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS) which will include modern management tools and processes to inform decision making and foster efficiency, transparency and accountability in electricity services delivery. The new project will also support the Government’s electricity Rollout Access Program connection target by financing activities to connect 72,000 new consumers to the national grid, strengthen Kigali’s 15KV distribution network to meet an increased demand, and reduce the frequency of electricity supply interruptions.
“Not only will increased access to reliable electricity supply lower costs and improve the profitability of business enterprises, but it is also key to enabling the set-up of new private sector-led enterprises, which can drive economic growth and poverty reduction.” Says Thomas O'Brien, World Bank Country Program Coordinator and Acting Country Manager for Rwanda.
“While increased access to electricity services is important, efficiency, transparency and accountability in the operations are all equally critical. As such, the project will also bolster EUCL’s operating efficiency, reduce the duration of network outages by accelerating response time, facilitate periodic updates to consumers about the state of the network, and ultimately empower the consumers to demand better services as necessary.” Adds Paul Baringanire, World Bank Senior Energy Specialist and Task Team Leader for RESSP.
* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 77 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.8 billion people, the majority of whom live on less than $2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 112 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $18 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent going to Africa.
