Today the Government of Rwanda (GoR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ignite Power Ltd,

The MoU provides the framework for large scale deployment of solar electric systems across rural communities in Rwanda, following successful implementation of a pilot project of 1000 households. The Government of Rwanda and Ignite will then enter into a long term agreement whereby Ignite will install between 250,000 and 1 million solar electric systems across Rwanda.

Speaking at the signing, the Rwanda Development Board’s Chief Executive Officer Francis Gatare said; “The project is part of the Vision 2020 plan to increase access to electricity in the rural communities. This project will enable energy access in places that would be hard to connect to the main grid. We believe renewable energy projects like this have multiple advantages by providing clean and environmentally- friendly energy.

Yariv Cohen, Chairman of the Clean Access Initiative said; “Clean energy is the best solution for Africa power needs. Distributed solar energy is enabling communities to leapfrog beyond the grid and bring power quicker and cheaper to African communities. We are proud to partner with the Government of Rwanda and take part in this transformational effort of deploying access to energy at large scale.”

Ignite Power, backed by Liquidnet and Aghozo Shalom Youth Village, is engaged in large scale deployment of clean energy solutions in Africa. Ignite Power project is the second step in the Clean Access Initiative for rapid deployment of Clean Energy across Africa which was developed together with Bloomberg New Energy Finance.