Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva on Saturday, September 6, toured Shema Power Lake Kivu (SPLK) methane gas power plant and Rubavu Port in Rubavu District, Western Province. The SPLK plant, a $309 million facility located on the shores of Lake Kivu, harnesses methane gas reserves to generate electricity. It has a total installed capacity of 56 megawatts, with about 50 megawatts supplied to Rwanda’s national grid. The Prime Minister recommended that there should be an assessment of how to increase the plant’s output, including exploring the possibility of adding 28 megawatts of power. According to Jean De Dieu Uwihanganye, the Minister of State for Transport in the Ministry of Infrastructure, the discussions with the Prime Minister aimed at looking for ways to facilitate the investor so that the targeted level of electricity production can be achieved. “We are committed to maximising the use of this natural resource, methane gas, to further boost the country’s electricity supply. As you know, energy demand continues to rise as our nation develops,” he said. ALSO READ: Major methane gas exploitation projects on Lake Kivu Following his visit to SPLK, the Prime Minister proceeded to Rubavu Port, a $9 million project completed in December 2024 through a partnership between the government of Rwanda and its development partners. Located in Nyamyumba Sector, the modern port is designed to handle 700,000 tonnes of cargo and 2.7 million passengers annually. It is expected to strengthen trade links with neighbouring districts as well as Goma and North Kivu Province in the DR Congo. Eight months after becoming operational, the port is already handling 1,400 tonnes of cargo per day, 70 per cent of its planned daily capacity of 2,000 tonnes. According to Uwihanganye, the Prime Minister also called for improving service delivery at the port to ensure that all possible facilities and support are available, making it easier for residents and other users to utilise the port efficiently. ALSO READ: How Rubavu port is set to reshape cross-border trade with DR Congo Rubavu Port is part of the government’s initiative to construct four ports on Lake Kivu, aimed at facilitating the movement of goods and people. “The aim is to simplify trade between districts along Lake Kivu and strengthen Rwanda’s trade with neighbouring countries,” Uwihanganye said. ALSO READ: Infrastructure minister on how Rubavu Port will impact trade Rusizi Port, which is part of that government initiative, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and begin operations. “Together with Rubavu Port, these facilities will make travel by water faster, easier, and more cost-effective compared to relying solely on roads. For instance, while there is a road from Rubavu to Rusizi, it can be time-consuming and inconvenient. A single boat can carry the equivalent of four trucks, making transport more efficient and energy-saving. “This will reduce transportation costs, improve trade accessibility for residents, and stimulate business growth in the region,” he said. The port has also created jobs for the local community, employing over 200 people, Uwihanganye said.
