AfDB Praises Rwanda’s Progress on Transformative Muvumba Dam Project
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has commended Rwanda’s steady progress on the Muvumba Multipurpose Dam project, highlighting its transformative potential for water management, irrigation, and energy generation. The Bank is providing €121.5 million in financing to support the initiative.
The AfDB delegation, led by Director for Water Development and Sanitation Mtchera Chirwa, engaged with senior Rwandan officials, including Mutesi Rusagara, Minister for Resource Mobilisation and Public Investment; Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources; Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister in the Agriculture Development Directorate; Bernadette Arakwiye, Minister of Environment; and Jimmy Gasore, Minister of Infrastructure.
Discussions centred on enhancing collaboration and ensuring effective delivery of Bank-funded water and sanitation interventions. Chirwa also met with Aissa Sarr Toure, AfDB Country Manager for Rwanda, to review portfolio performance and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
During the visit, the Bank team toured the 39-metre-high dam on the Muvumba River in Nyagatare District. The dam, designed to store 55 million cubic metres of water, will support irrigation, hydropower generation, fisheries, livestock, and domestic water supply, serving Rwanda’s largest and second most populous district.
The Muvumba Multipurpose Water Resources Development Programme, approved by the Bank in October 2020, is currently 36.6% complete, with full completion expected by October 2026. Once operational, the dam will supply 50,000 cubic metres of water daily, irrigate 10,000 hectares, and benefit nearly 800,000 people.
The broader programme also strengthens climate resilience through water catchment protection, forest management, and capacity building, offering internships for local university students at the construction site.
“The Muvumba project is a key pillar in Rwanda’s drive for sustainable water management and climate resilience,” said Hon. Jimmy Gasore, Minister of Infrastructure.
The African Development Bank remains Rwanda’s leading development partner in the water and sanitation sector, allocating 42% of its country portfolio—equivalent to $889.5 million—to sectoral policy reforms, infrastructure development, and institutional strengthening.
Other AfDB-supported initiatives include the Rwanda Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, Rwanda Sustainable and Resilient Water and Sanitation Programme Sector Budget Support, and the first phase of the Rwanda Transformative and Sustainable Water and Sanitation Programme.
As of September 2025, the Bank’s active portfolio in Rwanda encompasses 28 projects valued at a total of $2.2 billion.
