Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva revealed how Rwandan industries saved approximately Rwf9.7 billion by reducing energy consumption, cutting waste and making better use of resources through a cleaner production programme.
He presented the results on Wednesday, November 11, at a discussion on green industrial development during the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, where he represented President Paul Kagame.
“For Rwanda, green industrialisation is both a climate imperative and an opportunity to accelerate economic transformation, attract investment and create decent jobs,” Nsengiyumva told participants.
The Prime Minister pointed to Rwanda’s Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Programme, which helps factories and smaller businesses improve the way they use electricity, water and raw materials.
The programme recorded around $6.5 million in financial savings from investments of approximately $5 million. The National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) has published more precise figures of $6.58 million in savings and $5.19 million invested.
Those results had already been documented by 2021, when the programme’s achievements dating back to 2008 were presented publicly.
Nsengiyumva used them at COP31 to demonstrate the business case for reducing pollution, rather than announcing that the money had been saved recently.
According to NIRDA, participating businesses reduced annual energy consumption by more than 41 million megajoules and cut carbon dioxide emissions by over 30,000 tonnes a year.
The agency also recorded annual reductions of more than 22,300 tonnes of solid waste and savings of approximately 153,000 cubic metres of water under the programme.
Cleaner production can involve maintaining machinery that consumes excessive electricity, reusing water where appropriate and preventing materials from being wasted during manufacturing. Such changes can reduce business expenses while limiting environmental damage.
NIRDA reports that 115 industries received training in cleaner production and resource efficiency, while 92 underwent assessments. Another 46 local specialists were trained to help businesses adopt the practices.
The results cover different types of businesses, but the published figures do not show how the savings were distributed among individual companies.
Nsengiyumva also identified renewable energy, electric transport, cleaner cooking, sustainable agriculture and recycling as areas where Rwanda wants greater private investment.
He gave particular attention to refrigeration and air conditioning, noting that the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol offers opportunities to develop cooling services while reducing harmful greenhouse gases.
Rwanda has introduced a national cooling strategy and minimum energy-performance standards, which are intended to encourage more efficient equipment and open opportunities for businesses involved in manufacturing and maintenance.
Financing remains a major obstacle for companies interested in replacing machinery or adopting cleaner technology. Nsengiyumva urged development partners and financial institutions to provide affordable loans, guarantees and financing arrangements that share investment risks.
Rwanda is also using COP31 to seek international support for its climate priorities, including a clearer path to the $300 billion annual climate finance target agreed at COP29.
The Prime Minister’s message was that environmental investment should be judged not only by lower emissions, but also by whether businesses can cut costs, remain competitive and create jobs.
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