The 14.5 MW transboundary Akanyaru multipurpose project on the Akanyaru River, shared between Burundi and Rwanda is expected to commence this year after the Rwandan government cleared the MoU for Technical Cooperation on the Development and Implementation of the project. The Burundi Government has confirmed that it will soon place the MoU before its Cabinet for approval, paving way for grant processing by the African Development Bank (AfDB). Hon. Déo-Guide Rurema, the Burundi Minister for Environment, Irrigation and Livestock made the pledge on 20th August 2021 as he received a delegation from NELSAP-CU led by the Regional Coordinator Eng. Maro Andy Tola in Bujumbura. Also present at the meeting were Dr. Nyorobeka Felicien, the D.G for Environment and Water Resources of Burundi and Mr. Dodiko Prosper, the D.G for Planning of Environment and Agriculture.
During the meeting, Burundi requested NELSAP-CU to organize a working session of Government Officials from the two countries to jointly review the MoU on Technical Cooperation and have it ready for joint Ministerial signature. After the MoU is signed, NELSAP-CU will present it to the AfDB, under the New Partnership for African Development - Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) and the African Water Facility (AWF) for project grant processing.Burundi also requested NELSAP-CU to organize a working tour of government officials of Burundi including the Ministers Responsible for Water Affairs of both countries to the 80MW Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project in order for them to appreciate the benefits of successful NELSAP-CU coordination. The Rusumo project – coordinated by NELSAP – is over 80% complete.
The Akanyaru project comprises a 52m high dam with storage capacity of 333 million cubic metres that will supply water to 614,200 people and irrigate 12,474 ha, directly benefitting 24,948 farmers and provide food for about 124,740 people. It will also generate 14.5 MW hydropower which will supply power to about 141,111 houses and serve over 846,000 people. The project will also contribute to restoration of 1700km2 degraded watersheds upstream of the dam and reservoir area in both Burundi and Rwanda sides. The AfDB (NEPAD-IPPF) and AWF committed to co-finance project preparation for a total of USD 2.3 million. The preparation includes full feasibility, detailed design and preparation of tender documents, as well as Independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) studies. The bank requires the Government of Burundi and Rwanda to commit counterpart funding of 10% of the total grant of 2.3 million, which is USD 230,000 (USD 115,000 for each country).
Project History
The Akanyaru Project was identified in 2012 by Burundi and Rwanda. NELSAP-CU undertook detailed identification studies the same year through a Sweden-Norway grant after which the project was ranked as national priority by both countries. The project is on Akanyaru River which defines the border between the Southern Province of Rwanda and Ngozi Province in Burundi. The proposed dam’s left abutment is at Nyabiryo Village, of Gisagara District of Rwanda, while the right abutment is located at Musezero Village in Ngozi Province of Burundi.