Rwanda requires $227.36 million, equivalent to approximately Rwf334 billion, to fully develop irrigation infrastructure and restore the Muvumba River catchment, supporting climate-resilient agriculture across more than 10,000 hectares in Nyagatare District.
Only $67.4 million has so far been secured from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The funding will cover the first 3,073 hectares, about 32 per cent of the project’s gross area of 10,206 hectares.
The government launched the irrigation phase on Wednesday, August 26, as technical teams reviewed procurement arrangements. Implementation is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2031.
The irrigation scheme forms part of the Muvumba Multipurpose Water Resources Development Program, which also covers domestic and livestock water supply and hydropower generation.
Its principal water source will be the Muvumba Multipurpose Dam, whose construction has reached approximately 65 per cent, according to the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB).
The dam will store 55 million cubic metres of water when completed. AfDB initially provided €121.5 million for its construction and later committed an additional €45.4 million, equivalent to 37.4 per cent of the initial financing.
Davis Bugingo, RWB’s Flood Management and Water Storage Division Manager, said the financing secured for irrigation would cover only the first part of the planned area.
“The $67.4 million secured so far will only irrigate 3,000 hectares, representing 32 per cent of the 10,206-hectare gross area,” Bugingo said.
The entire irrigation development will include 8,830 hectares of hillside farmland served by centre-pivot and sprinkler systems, as well as 810 hectares of rice irrigation.
Plans also provide for 200 kilometres of main canals and water-distribution networks, 225 livestock watering troughs and 30 post-harvest facilities.
Under the first phase, 2,263 hectares of hillside farmland and 810 hectares of rice fields will be irrigated. The phase will also deliver 71.7 kilometres of canals and distribution networks, 75 livestock watering troughs and 10 post-harvest facilities.
Dr Florence Uwamahoro, Acting Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), described the scheme as an important response to climate change and called for close coordination among the institutions involved to prevent further delays.
She said completing the infrastructure within the shortest possible period would allow farmers to benefit from a project they have long awaited.
The scheme is also expected to support Rwanda’s national objective of increasing irrigated farmland from 74,375 hectares to 132,171 hectares by 2029.
Once operational, the wider programme is expected to raise agricultural productivity and improve food and nutrition security for approximately 26,000 people.
It is also projected to create about 4,700 direct jobs. Men are expected to account for 75 per cent of the jobs and women for 25 per cent, while young people are expected to take 60 per cent of the total opportunities.
Authorities seek to prevent further delays
RWB Executive Chairperson Richard Nyirishema said lessons from delays experienced during the dam’s construction should guide implementation of the irrigation phase.
He said prolonged consultations among AfDB, the government and Nyagatare District had slowed the dam project, but the experience gained should now help the institutions deliver the irrigation infrastructure more efficiently.
The government will continue mobilising the remaining financing in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
Additional resources for domestic and livestock water-supply components are expected to be sought with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Water and Sanitation Corporation during the 2027/28 financial year.
A design-and-build procurement model, under which one contractor assumes responsibility for both designing and constructing the infrastructure, will be used to shorten the implementation period.
Construction of the dam is expected to be completed in 2027, while reservoir filling is planned for 2028. Authorities want the downstream irrigation infrastructure ready as close as possible to that date so the stored water can begin reaching farmers and surrounding communities without a prolonged delay.
Project implementers have introduced a catch-up plan that includes longer working hours, a larger workforce and additional equipment at the construction site.
Compensation affected by land-title problems
Nyirishema said money for compensating residents affected by the project was available, but land-ownership documentation continued to delay some payments.
Approximately 90 per cent of those awaiting compensation do not possess land titles. Other cases involve incorrect land demarcation, individual complaints and residents who had been living abroad but later returned to claim compensation.
The government has set October 2026 as the deadline for clearing more than Rwf4.3 billion in outstanding compensation owed to residents affected by the Muvumba water-resources project.