Women helping to power Rwanda’s energy sector were celebrated on Friday, March 13, as Rwanda Energy Group (REG) marked International Women’s Day by recognising female staff for their contributions and honouring students whose innovations could help shape the future of energy. The event, held in Kigali, brought together, among others, REG management, staff, and women and girls working across the organisation to honour their contributions to the energy sector. Participants were recognised with flowers and tokens of appreciation for their dedication and professionalism. The event also included discussions on workplace responsibilities, including employee rights and sexual harassment prevention, equipping participants with knowledge to foster a safe and supportive working environment. ALSO READ: Move to entice more young women engineers to join the energy sector REG CEO Armand Zingiro thanked women for their invaluable contributions to the organisation, highlighting how their skills, dedication, and professionalism help REG achieve its goals. This year’s theme, 'a woman is valuable,' reminds us of the importance of empowering women, Zingiro said. We appreciate the Government of Rwanda’s continued efforts in building the capacities of women and girls across all sectors, which is clearly reflected in the nation’s development achievements. He added that REG is proud to enhance the knowledge and skills of women and girls, recognising them as the cornerstone of professional excellence. We encourage women to seize opportunities, advance themselves, and occupy more decision-making positions and technical roles, ensuring no one is left behind. REG is committed to removing any barriers that could hinder women at work, so they can deliver their best. When women progress, our organisation and the country thrive, Zingiro added. During the event, a panel discussion was also held focusing on empowering women in the energy sector and how they can balance professional responsibilities with family life. Didacienne Mukanyirigira, Chairperson of the Board at REG, encouraged girls and women to believe in their abilities and remain committed to their career paths. “The careers you have chosen should motivate you, not discourage you. At work, we support one another and collaborate so that we can all move forward together. But it is also important to continuously invest in improving our knowledge and skills,” she said. She also urged young women to take their responsibilities seriously and work collectively toward success. “At the same time, everyone should reflect on their goals and ask themselves: career-wise, what do I truly want to achieve?” she added. Mukanyirigira further encouraged women to pursue additional training, including courses in project management, to strengthen their skills and position themselves for decision-making roles. She also called on management to create clear pathways that enable more women to advance into leadership positions. ALSO READ: How one woman is leveraging renewable energy to lift other women The celebration also highlighted youth innovation in the energy sector. Young innovators from École des Sciences Saint-Louis de Montfort Nyanza and Collège Sainte-Marie Reine Kabgayi, with support from Starlight Africa, presented impressive energy projects and prototypes. Students from École des Sciences Saint Louis de Montfort showcased “Nduba Energy Hub,” a project proposing to convert waste into usable energy. The students explained that waste transported to Nduba is often left unused, and their idea is to turn it into a valuable resource. Their proposal involves collecting and burning waste to produce heat, which can then be converted into energy. Students from Collège Sainte Marie Reine also presented “Energy Usage Notifier,” a device designed to alert users about their remaining electricity before it runs out, helping households manage their power consumption more efficiently. The students were recognised and awarded by REG for their innovative ideas, encouraging young people to contribute to Rwanda’s energy sector.
