SP Ltd, one of Rwanda’s major petroleum suppliers, has confirmed that the gas storage facilities under construction in Rusororo Sector will start operating in 2026. The project is expected to boost the country’s cooking gas reserves and contribute to energy security.
Chief Executive Officer Claudien Habimana told The New Times that the investment, now valued at more than RWF 60 billion, will support Rwanda’s transition toward sustainable energy and reduce reliance on imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The development is being executed in two phases. The first phase — daily-use gas storage tanks — has already been completed. The second phase, which focuses on building large reserve tanks for long-term storage, is ongoing.
When fully operational, the facility will be capable of storing 9,000 tonnes of gas, enough to supply the country for nearly two months.
“We expect to start operations in July 2026,” Habimana said.
He added that the initial budget of RWF 38 billion was revised to USD 44 million (approximately RWF 60 billion) due to increases in global equipment prices and the expansion of the project, which now includes two additional 100-tonne tanks.
Trial operations for the first phase are expected to begin in January 2026. The government is also constructing access roads to facilitate smooth transportation to and from the site.
Currently, Rwanda imports all of its cooking gas. However, plans are in progress to use methane from Lake Kivu to produce locally sourced cooking gas by 2027.
According to NISR’s latest EICV 7 survey, firewood remains the main source of cooking energy for Rwandans — used by 75% of households. Charcoal accounts for 18%, while only 5.4% rely on cooking gas.
In Kigali, gas usage stands higher at 23%, but charcoal still dominates cooking energy at 51%.
