For the residents of Nasho Sector, accessing safe water is no longer a daily struggle, thanks to a partnership between the Government of Japan, WaterAid, and AYATEKE Star Company, clean water now flows to homes, schools, and healthcare facilities — improving health, education, and overall social wellbeing.
At the heart of this transformation is AYATEKE Star Company, a Rwandan enterprise founded in 2013 by Eng. Cyprien Sebikwekwe. What began as a small local water service provider has grown into a full-service operator managing pipelines, reservoirs, treatment plants, and water quality monitoring. Today, AYATEKE Star manages water systems across Kirehe, Gatsibo, and Bugesera districts, and also operates the Mahama Refugee Camp water system, supplying clean drinking water to more than 72,000 people.
“This project is not just about infrastructure,” says Eng. Cyprien Sebikwekwe, founder and managing director of AYATEKE Star. “We are responsible not only for building these systems but for maintaining them on behalf of the stakeholders, ensuring sustainable access to safe water for every resident.”
The Nasho Sector project represents the first phase of AYATEKE Star’s ongoing partnership with WaterAid, financed by WaterAid Japan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan and the district authorities. During this phase, the company oversaw the construction of 30.4 kilometers of water pipeline, 20 new water points, and the rehabilitation of six existing points. They also installed a 100-cubic-meter reservoir and four smaller tanks, increasing storage capacity to 140 cubic meters. Nearly 16,000 people now benefit from reliable water access, including 60 schools and one health facility, with sanitation improvements provided to three schools and one healthcare center.
Residents are already feeling the benefits. Umurewa Delphine, a local resident, says:
“Before this project, we used contaminated water and often fell ill. Now, our families are healthier, and our children can attend school safely.”
Mayor Bruno Rangira emphasized the role of water in promoting social wellbeing: “We call upon residents to maintain hygiene and cleanliness to ensure these services last. Our district is also committed to meeting NST2 targets, ensuring universal access to clean water for all.”
AYATEKE Star also engages directly with communities to sustain services. Their teams conduct weekly outreach and training sessions on water maintenance and hygiene practices, instilling a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents.
Looking ahead, this first phase is only the beginning. AYATEKE Star says will continue to manage two more phases of the project, with the second phase set to launch in April in Bugesera District, followed by a third and final phase under the donor funding program. This long-term commitment ensures that the systems remain functional, resilient, and beneficial to communities over time.
Through their role as both a key implementer and operator, AYATEKE Star Company exemplifies how a homegrown enterprise can drive sustainable development, strengthen local capacity, and transform lives in rural Rwanda.
“We hand over more than infrastructure — we hand over health, dignity, and opportunity,” says Eng. Sebikwekwe. “Our responsibility is to ensure that every community enjoys the full benefits of these services for years to come.”
For Nasho Sector, clean water is more than just infrastructure — it is hope, opportunity, and the foundation for a healthier, more resilient future.
