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Livestock and crop farmers in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, long plagued by severe dry spells and four-hour treks for water, are set for a major transformation as several multipurpose dam projects gain momentum. The Muvumba Multipurpose Dam, currently 44% complete and funded by a €121.5 million AfDB investment, leads a wave of infrastructure projects including Warufu, Nyabarongo II, and Akanyaru dams. These projects are designed to provide a "climate-shield" for nearly 1.5 million people by 2027-2030, offering reliable irrigation, clean drinking water, and renewable energy.
Redempta
16 days ago
For farmers like Thacien Rwampozeho in Nyagatare, the struggle for water has historically been a matter of life and death for livestock. "Before we got support... some cows died because there simply wasn’t enough water," he recalls. While local initiatives like the INUMA water mini-grids and rainwater harvesting have provided temporary relief, they have been unable to keep pace with the massive demand from growing herds and agricultural expansion.
The solution lies in a series of large-scale, multipurpose infrastructure projects currently being fast-tracked by the Rwanda Water Resources Board.
ProjectLocationPrimary BenefitsStatus / TimelineMuvumba DamNyagatare11,000 ha irrigation, 50k m³/day water supply, 1MW power44.1% Complete (2027)Nyabarongo IIKamonyi/Gakenke43.5MW hydropower, 20,000 ha irrigation, flood control57% Complete (2025/26)Warufu DamGatsibo2,500 ha irrigation, domestic water for 3 sectorsUnder expansionAkanyaru DamRwanda/Burundi14.5MW power, 12,000 ha irrigation, serving 600k peoplePlanning/Resource Mobilization
The new generation of dams is "multipurpose" by design, moving beyond simple water storage to integrated economic hubs:
Energy Security: Nyabarongo II alone will add 43.5MW to the national grid, with innovative plans for floating solar panels.
Climate Resilience: Farmers like Rehema Nyiramukesha in Gatsibo have already seen a shift from losing entire investments to dry spells to growing high-value crops like chilli and French beans year-round.
Domestic & Livestock Health: Muvumba will provide clean water to nearly 800,000 people, ending the reliance on untreated sources that often led to disease.
As the African Development Bank (AfDB) reaffirms its commitment to the €121.5 million Muvumba project, the Rwandan government continues to mobilize funds for secondary projects like the Bakokwe and Mukunguri dams.
These infrastructures are more than just concrete and steel; they represent the backbone of Rwanda’s Vision 2050, aiming to transition the nation into a high-income, climate-resilient economy where water is a guaranteed right rather than a daily struggle.
"It is a shared responsibility to ensure the venue remains sustainable... so that it continues to serve the community, federations, and the fans." — Reflecting the broader sentiment of resource management across Rwanda.
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