A groundbreaking hydroelectric and water-storage project in Rwanda is expected to create one of the country’s most striking man-made features: a vast reservoir that will become Rwanda’s fourth-largest lake. Construction began in 2024, and government engineers confirmed that the reservoir will be fully completed within the next two years. The project is part of a national plan to expand renewable energy capacity while increasing domestic water reserves for agriculture, industries and households.
On 21 November 2025, Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva toured the Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project under construction on the Nyabarongo River, located between Kamonyi and Gake nke districts. During the visit, officials highlighted that the dam will generate 43.5 megawatts (MW) once complete.
The project, financed through a US$ 214 million concessional loan from China Exim Bank, is being built by Sinohydro under an EPC contract. It includes a 48-meter-high concrete gravity dam, whose reservoir is expected to hold about 803–846 million cubic meters of water, representing one of the country’s largest artificial water bodies.
This artificial reservoir is uniquely designed for multi-purpose use: in addition to generating electricity, it will support irrigation over more than 20,000 hectares of farmland. The government says this will help stabilize agricultural production, especially in regions historically affected by irregular rainfall.
Flood control is another major benefit. The Nyabarongo River has a history of seasonal flooding in downstream low-lying zones. By regulating the river flow, the dam is expected to reduce flood risk significantly, protecting communities and infrastructure.
Beyond these, the reservoir is planned to support inland water transport, fisheries, and possibly tourism. Officials revealed that once the lake stabilizes, fishing and aquaculture could be developed, while parts of it may be used for boating or eco-tourism. There are also plans to install floating solar panels on the reservoir surface, potentially generating up to 200 MW of additional renewable power.
The government is also managing the social impact: it has allocated Rwf 70 billion (≈ US$ … depending on conversion) to resettle approximately 3,400 households that will be affected by the reservoir. According to officials, these resettled families will be moved into modern settlements with essential services such as schools and clinics, and will be integrated into economic activities related to the dam.
Taken together, Nyabarongo II is more than a power plant — it’s being positioned as a transformative infrastructure project designed to strengthen Rwanda’s energy security, boost agriculture, control floods, promote economic development, and adapt to climate change. The scale and multipurpose nature of the project make it one of the most significant developments in Rwanda’s recent infrastructure push.
