- Rwanda has been listed as one of the 30 countries globally with the cheapest household electricity prices.
- Rwanda’s remarkable feat is due to its focus on renewable energy resources and its energy infrastructure.
Rwanda has been listed as one of the 30 countries globally with the cheapest household electricity prices, according to a report released earlier this month by Statista.com, an online platform specialised in market and consumer data. The other African countries on the list include Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya. The report was based on a survey that included 30 countries worldwide.
Rwanda’s average price of electricity was $0.24 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), with health facilities charged Rwf186 per kWh, Rwf134 per kWh for small businesses, Rwf103 per kWh for medium businesses, and Rwf94 per kWh for large businesses.
The country’s remarkable feat is due to its focus on renewable energy resources and investment in its infrastructure. Rwanda has heavily invested in developing its hydropower potential, which has led to a significant reduction in the cost of electricity production.
The government has implemented policies and initiatives to encourage private investment in renewable energy, including solar, further boosting the country’s energy production capacity. The availability of low-cost electricity has enabled businesses to operate more efficiently, which has created job opportunities and contributed to the country’s economic growth.
However, the challenges remain in ensuring all Rwandans access affordable and reliable electricity. The government continues to prioritise investment in energy infrastructure, including expanding the national grid and increasing the capacity of existing plants. The current access targets stipulate that 100 per cent of households will have access to electricity by 2024, with 70 per cent connected to the grid and 30 per cent using off-grid solutions.