The Government of Rwanda (GoR) set itself the ambitious target of providing universal electricity access to its population of 12.3 million people by 20241, stipulating that 48% of households should be reached with off-grid solutions. In the GoR’s revised 2019 National Electrification Plan, specific and separate areas for implementation are designated for solar home systems (SHS) and mini-grid system solutions, and strategies are to be implemented in partnership with the private sector.

Supply side interventions have significantly improved the availability of products across the country. Energising Development’s (EnDev) Results Based Financing (RBF) project helped companies overcome market barriers and expand their operations, while the World Bank funded Renewable Energy Fund (REF) at the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) offers loans to households and small businesses as well as credit lines to off-grid solution providers. The EnDev RBF supports companies to deepen and strengthen their supply chains, whilst the REF has offered much needed working capital to companies. These supply side approaches were successful in helping companies overcome barriers to market entry, attracting new companies into Rwanda, and increasing sales.