Rwanda says 85.4 percent of households now have access to electricity, up from 64.5 percent five years ago. State Minister for Infrastructure Armand Zingiro announced the figure at a renewable energy conference in Kigali this month.
The growth reflects years of investment in grid expansion and off-grid solar systems. About six in ten households are connected to the national grid, while roughly a quarter rely on off-grid solutions, mostly solar power for remote communities, according to the Rwanda Energy Group.
Zingiro said the focus has shifted from simply connecting homes to making sure energy drives economic growth, creates jobs and improves daily life. He urged stakeholders to keep up the momentum.
Rwanda has set a target of universal electricity access by 2029. The conference brought together policymakers, investors and energy experts to discuss financing models, new technology and the role of the private sector in Africa’s energy transition.
The country’s rapid progress stands out in Africa. Just over a decade ago, barely one in five Rwandan households had electricity, and access has more than quadrupled since then.