• Login / Register
  • POLICY

    Rwanda and China excel in $47 million partnership

    Rwanda and China seal $47 million partnership
    By: Alain B. Tunezerwe / Igihe
    (Translate from French)

    Rwanda and China established a new agreement this Wednesday, January 22, 2025, signing a financing framework of 47 million dollars (approximately 66 billion Rwandan francs) intended for the construction of the Giseke dam and the development of a dam project irrigation.
    This dam, with a height of 27.5 meters and a crest length of 377 meters, will have a reservoir with a capacity of 6.5 million cubic meters, covering a catchment area of ​​56.9 kilometers squares. Designed to strengthen agricultural resilience in the face of climate change, it will enable the irrigation of 2,640 hectares of agricultural land in the Gisagara district.
    The project was officially launched during a ceremony attended by Yusuf Murangwa, Rwandan Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, and Wang Xuekun, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda.

    The dam, which is part of the objectives of Rwanda's second National Transformation Strategy (NST2), prioritizes the adoption of water-saving technologies in order to improve agricultural productivity and stimulate economic growth. “China remains a loyal development partner to Rwanda, providing support to various sectors critical to our development aspirations. Giseke Dam will play a vital role in the sustainable transformation of our agriculture,” said Minister Yusuf Murangwa.
    For Ambassador Wang Xuekun, this project is the implementation of the “10 Partnership Action Plans” initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping to strengthen Sino-African cooperation. “This dam is a symbol of the excellent collaboration between China and Rwanda. It will significantly contribute to the agricultural modernization and economic resilience of Rwanda,” he said.

    The dam, as well as the accompanying irrigation infrastructure, will directly benefit approximately 915 households, or a total of 4,578 people. These households will be able to cultivate their land more efficiently, which will significantly increase agricultural production. In addition, this project will promote the marketing of agricultural products on local and regional markets, thus helping to boost the economy of the Gisagara district.
    This agreement joins a series of projects financed by China in Rwanda, representing a total investment of $600 million, in the form of concessional loans and grants. Of this amount, $450 million is allocated for loans and $150 million for grants.

    Leave A Comment

    Sponsor Ad