By 2028, Kigali and Rwamagana Poised to End Chronic Water Shortages
The expansion of the Karenge Water Treatment Plant is expected to eliminate water shortages in several parts of Rwamagana District and the City of Kigali, where residents have long struggled with insufficient or irregular water supply. Once completed, the plant will also support Rwanda’s national development plan (NST2), which aims to ensure universal access to clean water.
Since 2008, the Karenge plant has been producing 12,000 cubic meters of water per day, with 30% distributed to different parts of Rwamagana District and 70% supplied to Kigali. However, this amount is no longer sufficient, especially given the rapid population growth and increasing water demand in the capital.
A resident interviewed by Radio Rwanda expressed the community’s concerns:
“Water is life, and authorities should provide us with enough. Every household should have reliable access. They should also inspect the existing pipelines to ensure they are still capable of carrying the required volume.”
During its meeting on November 28, 2025, the Cabinet approved two draft laws confirming loan agreements between the Government of Rwanda and the Abu Dhabi Development Fund, as well as the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa. These agreements will finance the expansion of the Karenge water distribution system.
Asafu Kabasha, head of the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC Group), confirmed that the expansion work is underway and that once completed, it will significantly increase the amount of water available to residents of Rwamagana and Kigali.
He said:“The existing Karenge plant has been producing 12,000 cubic meters per day. We are now expanding it so that it can produce an additional 36,000 cubic meters. For Kigali and parts of Rwamagana, where water scarcity is common, increasing capacity from 12,000 to 48,000 cubic meters per day will greatly help address the current shortages.”
He explained that areas that previously received water only once a week,such as Kabuga, Masaka, Rusororo, Gasogi, and nearby locations,will see a major improvement in supply. In Rwamagana District, the expansion will benefit communities in Gahengeri, Muyumbu, Mwurire, Musha, and parts of the district town center.
WASAC says the expansion of the Karenge Water Treatment Plant is one of Rwanda’s major projects designed to help achieve the clean-water targets outlined in NST2.
Kabasha added:“The Government aims for 100% coverage,everyone should have access to safe, clean water. To achieve this, we need a national production capacity of around 700,000 cubic meters per day. At the moment, we are producing just over 300,000 cubic meters.”
He acknowledged that although significant progress has been made, there is still a long way to go. Rwanda expects to reach its national target of 700,000 cubic meters per day by 2029. As 2025 comes to a close, the country still faces a deficit of about 400,000 cubic meters.
Rwanda is working with Hungary on the construction and expansion of the Karenge plant. All construction and pipeline upgrades required to deliver water to residents are expected to be completed by 2028.