Ambassador Joseph Nzabamwita of Rwanda in Russia shared Rwanda’s journey in energy development and encouraged stronger cooperation with Russia to expand energy access in Rwanda.
Speaking during the Russian Energy Week, Nzabamwita highlighted Rwanda’s impressive progress: in 2009, only 6% of the population had access, whereas today 84.6% of Rwandans can access electricity. He noted that while much has been achieved, there is still work to be done.
Looking ahead to 2050, Rwanda aims for 50% of electricity consumption to come from renewable sources, which are currently more cost-effective compared to other forms of energy. The country has been actively promoting renewable energy adoption among its citizens.
Nzabamwita also emphasized Rwanda’s growing international partnerships, including agreements with Russia. In 2018, Rwanda and Russia signed a cooperation agreement on the use of nuclear energy. He noted that Rwanda can learn from Russia’s long-standing expertise in energy production to meet its own development needs.
Beyond energy, the ambassador highlighted educational ties between the two countries. Many students from both Rwanda and Russia study in each other’s countries, fostering knowledge exchange. For instance, St. Petersburg State University offers courses in Kinyarwanda and Kiswahili, strengthening cultural and academic connections.
