The development was confirmed on April 5, 2026, by Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, State Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure, during a media briefing that focused on Rwanda’s strategies to address rising global fuel prices. The session was also attended by Prudence Sebahizi.
Uwihanganye noted that the project, being implemented in partnership with Gasmeth Energy, has made significant progress. By 2028, methane gas will be widely available, particularly in high-demand institutions such as schools, hospitals, and other public facilities.
“This gas will primarily serve places with large populations like schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities. It will significantly reduce pressure on bottled gas used by households,” he said.
The project dates back to 2019, when the Government of Rwanda signed a 25-year agreement with Gasmeth Energy to extract and process methane gas from Lake Kivu.
The company is expected to produce up to 40 million cubic meters of gas per day. This gas will be used not only for cooking but also in industries and transportation, with the potential to serve between 300,000 and 400,000 households.
On August 18, 2022, construction of a gas processing plant was officially launched in Bwishyura Sector, Karongi District, marking a key milestone for the project. Authorities confirm that implementation is now at an advanced stage.
Rwanda has already been utilizing methane gas from Lake Kivu for electricity generation through projects such as KivuWatt and a plant operated by Shema Power in Rubavu District.
A new power generation project with a capacity of 185 megawatts has also been approved and is expected to come online between 2029 and 2030.
The government has structured the methane gas initiative into three phases. Officials say that once the first phase proves successful, production will be expanded further to significantly cut down on gas imports.
In parallel, Rwanda is investing in gas storage infrastructure, including facilities with a capacity of 9,000 tonnes. These are expected to begin receiving gas supplies by August 2026, strengthening national reserves.
The announcement comes at a time when global fuel prices continue to rise due to geopolitical tensions, including conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has disrupted key supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. These disruptions have led to increased prices of petroleum products and cooking gas in Rwanda.
Currently, prices vary depending on cylinder size. For example, a 6kg gas cylinder costs between Rwf 11,670 and Rwf 15,000, while a 12kg cylinder is priced at around Rwf 28,000. Larger cylinders of 15kg, 20kg, and 40kg can cost up to Rwf 33,000, Rwf 45,000, and Rwf 80,000 respectively.
Minister Sebahizi clarified that the government does not regulate gas prices, as they are determined by importers based on international market rates and supply costs.
Rwanda is also pursuing broader clean energy goals, aiming to reduce reliance on biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal. By 2030, the country targets cutting the proportion of households using these traditional fuels to 42%, as part of its strategy to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions.