The Minister in charge of emergency management, Marie Solange Kayisire, has launched a Renewable Energy for Refugees (RE4R II) project in Mahama refugee camp that will see refugees in several camps access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.

The 4-year project worth Rwf6.4billion was launched on Thursday and is expected to benefit over 114,000 refugees and neighboring communities.

Kayisire urged beneficiaries to protect the infrastructure and use them accordingly, she said, "different economic activities will emerge in the camp, children will be able to do their homework, working hours will increase, even daily activities at the camp will flourish, we urge refugees and the communities around the camps make good use of this.”

She added that, "Renewable Energy for refugees project will support the Government to achieve our pledge on energy and infrastructure to the global refugee compact, and contribute to SDG goal 7 which aims at ensuring access, affordability, and sustainable energy for all.”

Bebe Bigirimana, a Burundian refugee said he is looking forward to a boost in his welding business as he will no longer reject business orders which he used to.

"I used to have a couple of orders from my clients rejected due to the fact that my job required a lot of electricity to run, it was expensive, with access to enough power, I see an economic growth in my business standing at 50 per cent of my expenses will be saved,” he said.

This is the second phase of the project. Phase 1 brought energy access to 83,000 people into Nyabiheke, Kigeme and Gihembe refugee camps.

Chantal Nyiramugisha, a Congolese refugee who runs a canteen and retail shop owner said, "Before the project we had security issues. We wouldn’t move at night; we were struggling to take sick people to the hospital, because of the darkness. Our first issue was resolved when we got community streetlights. Our children also had problems in education. They weren’t doing well. When they were back from school, they couldn’t review their homework because it was dark. The solar home systems changed that”.

So far, 80 per cent of the total area of refugee camps will be covered by public lighting as said by Denyse Umubyeyi, Practical Action Country Director that will be in charge of the project implementation.

792 street lights will be installed at playgrounds, roads, latrines connecting the camp sections, as well as connecting more than 35,000 households with renewable energy.

Funded by the Swedish Government, the 4-year project aims at supporting Rwanda’s efforts to provide electricity to 100 per cent of the population by 2024, said Johanna Teague the Swedish Ambassador in Rwanda.

As of October 2022, 74.5 per cent of Rwandans have access to electricity, these include 50.9 per cent connected on-grid whereas off-grid access rate was 24.4per cent of Rwandan households as Rwanda Energy Group REG shows.

Currently, as figures indicate, Mahama Refugee camp is home to more than 58,000 refugees, with 38,472 Burundians, 19,638 Congolese, and 9 others.