Kirehe District, Rwanda – May 2025 –
The Rwandan government is building modern model villages to accommodate vulnerable citizens and those displaced by the construction of the Rusumo hydropower plant. The initiative, backed by a $4.2 million (Rwf6 billion) allocation, aims to restore dignity and improve living standards for 80 families whose homes were affected by the hydropower project’s blasting activities in the Kirehe District.
The new housing project, already 50% complete, forms part of Rwanda’s broader efforts to ensure that large-scale infrastructure projects also uplift local communities. This includes the creation of self-sufficient model villages fully equipped with essential infrastructure like electricity, water, drainage systems, internal roads, cow sheds, and Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs).
Model Villages: A Vision for Inclusive Growth
The Rusumo model village stands out as a testament to Rwanda’s people-centered development model. Coordinated by the Ministry of Infrastructure in partnership with Kirehe District and the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Programme (NELSAP), the project is designed to do more than just resettle — it is intended to elevate.
Each household will receive a modern, durable home in a community connected to national grids and basic services. An additional 14 households, who own land elsewhere, will also have homes built for them on their respective plots.
“We are not just building houses; we are building hope,” said a local official. “These families lost their homes due to national development, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are compensated with a better life.”
Background: The Rusumo Hydropower Project
The 80-megawatt Rusumo Hydropower Plant is a landmark cross-border energy project jointly undertaken by Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi. Construction began in 2017 and aims to provide clean energy to the three nations, evenly distributing the power output. Though beneficial, the project has affected nearby communities due to necessary excavation and blasting during construction.
In response, the Rwandan government moved swiftly to not only compensate families but also to integrate them into upgraded living environments — a model that could set a precedent for future infrastructure projects across Africa.
Uplifting the Vulnerable: A Holistic Approach
The project aligns with Rwanda’s broader strategy to combat poverty and enhance rural development through the creation of model villages — a key component of the country’s Vision 2050 plan.
Residents of the new village will not only benefit from better housing but also from integrated services that support early childhood education, sustainable agriculture, and community cohesion.
“This is what transformative development looks like,” said one of the future residents. “We feel seen and supported — our children will grow up in a place with real opportunity.”
A Beacon for Africa’s Development Strategy
As the model village in Kirehe nears completion, it stands as a symbol of Rwanda’s unique blend of innovation and compassion in governance. In a continent where large infrastructure often comes at a social cost, Rwanda is flipping the script — ensuring that no one is left behind as the country advances.
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