Rwanda has secured a Rwf66 billion ($66 million) concessional loan from China to fund a large-scale irrigation development project in Gisagara District, officials announced Wednesday.
The project, named the Giseke Dam and Irrigation Project, will directly benefit more than 915 households 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 our 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 realization 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 our collaboration, advancing Rwanda’s agricultural modernization and enhancing its production capacity.”
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 $600 million in development projects, including $450 million in concessional loans and $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.