Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva on Saturday visited two flagship projects in Rubavu District, underscoring Rwanda’s commitment to turning Lake Kivu into a driver of national energy security and regional trade.
The Prime Minister toured Shema Power Lake Kivu (SPLK), a methane gas plant now producing 56 megawatts of electricity, 50 of which are fed directly into the national grid. He was briefed on the intricate process of extracting methane gas from beneath the lake, transporting it through pipelines, and converting it into electricity to support Rwanda’s growing energy needs.
“Lake Kivu is a strategic resource,” Dr. Nsengiyumva said during the tour. “Harnessing it for clean energy shows how Rwanda is using innovation to power its development.”
The Prime Minister also visited Rubavu Port, a $9.17 million facility on Lake Kivu that has quickly become a vital hub for transport and trade. Built in Nyamyumba Sector, the port was completed in 2023 after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and inaugurated in December 2024.
Co-financed by the Netherlands (50%), the United Kingdom (45%), and Rwanda (5%), the modern port features cargo storage, advanced security systems, fire safety equipment, wastewater treatment, and a fuel station for transport vehicles.
In just six months of operation, Rubavu Port has reached 70 percent of its designed capacity, handling 1,400 tons of cargo daily out of a projected 2,000. Officials say the facility is not only easing logistics in western Rwanda but also boosting cross-border commerce with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr. Nsengiyumva said the projects highlight Rwanda’s broader strategy of investing in renewable energy and modern transport infrastructure to strengthen economic resilience and deepen regional integration.
“These investments are about more than power and trade—they are about securing Rwanda’s future,” he said.
