Both Rwandan public and private institutions secured energy-related deals at the Africa CEO Forum, which took place from May 14 to 15, according to players in the business and trade sectors. The New Times highlights key deals and discussions about energy that came out of the forum. Factories for smart water and electricity meters and electric vehicle chargers Rwanda Development Board (RDB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Elsewedy Electric to support the establishment of a manufacturing plant for smart water and electricity meters, electric vehicle chargers, and power transformers. RDB was represented by its CEO Jean-Guy Afrika, while Elsewedy Electric was represented by its chairman and CEO, Ahmed Elsewedy. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda's $3.2 billion plan to reach 1,066MW energy capacity Before the forum began, Paul Kagame held discussions with a delegation led by Ahmed Elsewedy. The discussions focused on expanding investment in Rwanda, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, and other investment opportunities. Elsewedy Electric is a major manufacturer of electrical equipment, employing 19,000 people, and generated revenues exceeding $5.7 billion in 2025. The company operates in 19 countries and owns 34 factories across Africa and Asia, including in Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Tanzania. The electrical equipment produced by these factories is exported to around 110 countries worldwide. Regional training centre in energy technologies President Kagame held meetings with participants of the Africa CEO Forum including Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Group Chairman of Schneider Electric. They discussed ways to expand collaboration and explored investment opportunities aligned with Rwanda’s development priorities and economic transformation ambitions. ALSO READ: Renewable energy’s share in Rwanda reaches 52% Later, Schneider Electric and East Africa MG Group entered into a partnership during the Africa CEO Forum aimed at strengthening their presence in Rwanda and the wider East African region as demand for electrification, digitisation, and automation continues to grow. The company also announced plans to establish a training centre in Rwanda to support skills development and ensure new technologies are well understood locally. Nicole Uwineza, Senior Engineer in Maintenance Planning at Rwanda Energy Group, said the partnership aims to expand Schneider Electric’s footprint in Rwanda and East Africa through local distribution, technical support, technology transfer, and training initiatives focused on electrification, automation, and digital infrastructure. “The collaboration will help expand access to advanced energy technologies and future-ready infrastructure solutions in Rwanda,” she said. Manish Pant, Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric, said the company is bringing technology transfer in the energy sector to ensure that new technologies are well understood. Energy laboratory at University of Rwanda New plans were announced to establish an energy laboratory at University of Rwanda to build local technical skills in modern energy systems. The initiative could strengthen capacity in emerging technologies and support Rwanda’s ambition to become a regional technology hub, according to Eric Gishoma, CEO of Vision Technologies Company (VTC) which owns East Africa MG Group. ALSO READ: Rwanda mulls generating 200MW from solar energy He described Rwanda as an emerging digital hub driven by a youthful population, innovation, and strong government support for technology development in the energy sector. 200MW solar photovoltaic power plant RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika and SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises President and Chief Executive Officer Hossam El Shaer signed two Heads of Terms (HoTs) for the development of a solar photovoltaic power plant and battery storage facilities. The preliminary agreements relate to the construction of a 200MWp (megawatt-peak) solar power plant and battery energy storage facilities. ALSO READ: What economists say about impact of Africa CEO Forum SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises is a major Egyptian company established in 2002. Rwanda has a planned solar pipeline of more than 900 megawatts, covering utility-scale projects, rooftop systems, off-grid solutions, and solar applications for productive sectors. €30 million financing agreement The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD Plc.) and Italian financial institution Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) signed a €30 million (approximately Rwf51 billion) financing agreement. “With this operation, we are transforming resources into tangible investments: more clean energy, more sustainable mobility, and greater urban resilience,” said Italy’s Minister for Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto. Specifically, the financing will target critical sectors of the green economy, including renewable energy, by supporting the development of hydropower plants for renewable energy generation. Gas talks take centre stage During the discussions, it was noted that only 63 per cent of African gas remains within the continent, and that supply is heavily concentrated in four countries: Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt, and Libya. Leaders emphasised that scaling up intra-African gas trade requires blended capital pools, regulatory harmonisation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the political will to support cross-border pipelines. Africa holds nearly 10 per cent of the world’s proven gas reserves and could continue producing at current levels for the next 70 years, yet only 3 per cent of that gas is traded within Africa itself. Rwanda is also on course to produce gas from Lake Kivu. Civil works at the site of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Karongi District are 95 per cent complete.
