Rwanda Secures USD 40 bn Funding from China for Irrigation Project

(3 Minutes Read)

China agreed to release a USD 40 million concessional loan to Rwanda to build a large-scale irrigation development project in Gisagara District.

China agreed to release a USD 40 million concessional loan to Rwanda to build a large-scale irrigation development project in Gisagara District. The project, named the Giseke Dam and Irrigation Project, will directly benefit by providing irrigation infrastructure for crop cultivation. Gisagara District, known for large-scale rice farming, is a key area for Rwanda’s efforts to improve agriculture through controlled water access.

China has been a steadfast development partner for Rwanda, supporting various sectors critical to its development aspirations, said Yusuf Murangwa, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, during the signing ceremony in Kigali. The Giseke Dam and Irrigation Project will significantly contribute to the sustainable transformation of agriculture, as outlined in NST2, referring to the country’s Second National Strategy for Transformation.

Murangwa said a feasibility study will determine the project’s timeline but emphasized its goal of increasing agricultural resilience to climate change by irrigating 2,640 hectares of land. This initiative aligns with NST2’s focus on water-saving technologies to boost irrigation productivity and drive economic growth.

China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun, highlighted the agreement as part of China’s broader collaboration with African nations under the “10 Partnership Action Plans” proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. This marks a further realisation of the important consensus reached between the heads of state of China and Rwanda, Wang said. The Giseke Irrigation Project is a tangible outcome of this collaboration, advancing Rwanda’s agricultural modernisation and enhancing its production capacity.

Read Also;

http://trendsnafrica.com/government-of-rwanda-to-lease-land-in-gabiro-agribusiness-hub-project/

Rwanda and China enjoy strong bilateral ties, with economic cooperation focused on sectors such as infrastructure, education, health, and mining. Data from Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance indicates that China has financed approximately USD 600 million in development projects, including USD 450 million in concessional loans and USD 150 million in grants. These investments include key infrastructure projects in roads and energy. The Giseke Irrigation Project is expected to play a pivotal role in improving agricultural sustainability and boosting food security in Rwanda while strengthening the economic partnership between the two nations.