PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE RURAL DRINKING WATER SUPPLY DELIVERY MODEL IN RWANDA

Description

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE RURAL DRINKING WATER SUPPLY DELIVERY MODEL IN RWANDA

The EMPOWERWASH-AFRICA programme was launched by the African Water and Sanitation Association (AAEA) with the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. This project aims to improve Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) systems in rural communes, targeting 30 communes in six countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda). The first phase lasted one year from August 2023 to October 2024. In order to increase the impact of the programme, AAEA drew inspiration from Rwanda’s successful management models by organising a Benchmarking mission from 16 to 20 July 2024 in Kigali and Rulindo commune.

This learning note presents the results of the benchmarking mission conducted in Rwanda. The purpose of this study is to analyze the management model of rural drinking water services in Rwanda. Since 2023, Rwanda has adopted a water supply and sanitation management model centered on the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), which operates under a system of delegated management through public-private partnerships. This model allows local actors to engage directly in a framework regulated by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), while benefiting from the technical and managerial support of WASAC. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain, including the technical and managerial constraints faced by start-ups, as well as infrastructure financing. In this learning note, AAEA will analyze the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of Rwanda’s rural drinking water supply model.