In 2023, Rwanda’s electricity consumption was about 77 kWh per person, compared with a global average of 3,794 kWh—roughly one-fiftieth of the world average. Low-carbon electricity generation amounted to 43 kWh per person, equivalent to more than half of that consumption level. However, the supplied figures do not identify how much of the remaining electricity came from fossil fuels or imports, so a precise clean-versus-fossil consumption breakdown is unavailable. Such limited electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, industrial activity and digital services. Expanding clean electricity would support development while limiting the climate change and air pollution associated with fossil-fuel generation.

Is Electricity Growing in Rwanda?

Rwanda’s electricity consumption was essentially stagnant in 2023 rather than clearly growing. The reported 77 kWh per person was slightly below the 2022 record of 78 kWh; although the supplied comparison describes the change as zero, the displayed rounded figures differ by 1 kWh. Low-carbon generation likewise stood at 43 kWh per person, around 1 kWh below its 2021 record of 44 kWh. These small shortfalls indicate a plateau, which is concerning given Rwanda’s very low electricity consumption. Sustained growth in clean generation is needed to expand access and meet future demand from electrification, businesses and digital infrastructure, including AI.

Suggestions

Rwanda should prioritize expanding solar electricity, alongside grid investment, storage and regional electricity connections, while considering nuclear electricity as a longer-term source of dependable low-carbon supply. South Africa offers a relevant African example: its listed generation includes about 20 TWh of solar, 12 TWh of wind and 12 TWh of nuclear electricity. Pakistan, with about 41 TWh of solar and 22 TWh of nuclear, provides another useful example of combining these clean sources in a developing economy. India’s roughly 192 TWh of solar generation illustrates the potential of large-scale deployment. For nuclear development, Rwanda could study the experience of South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, the latter generating about 32 TWh from nuclear. These figures illustrate successful deployment, rather than targets Rwanda should copy directly; investment should reflect local demand, resources and grid development.

History

The supplied history of Rwanda’s low-carbon electricity is entirely about hydropower. In the late 1990s, generation fluctuated: it fell by about 0.1 TWh in 1996, recovered by a similar amount in 1997, then declined again in 1999. The listed years during the 2000s and early 2010s show no change at the data’s reported precision. Growth became more evident in 2014 and 2015, with increases of about 0.1 TWh each year, followed by further gains of roughly the same size in 2019 and 2020. The intervening listed years and 2021 again show no reported change. Those gains were welcome, but the repeated periods of little measurable growth underscore the need for faster expansion and diversification of clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade