AfDB: Rwanda water supply project 'to receive second $25m grant'

21 September 2009

A programme aimed at improving the supply and sanitation of rural Rwanda's water supply has entered its second phase with the signature of a $25 million (£15.5 million) grant.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) signed the agreement that will finance the next step in the Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Sub-Programme (PNEAR II) with the country's finance and economic planning minister James Musoni.

The first stage of the project, PNEAR I, is said to have increased the number of people who have access to water from 64 per cent in 2005 to 84 per cent in 2008.

Access to sanitation facilities also grew by 27 percentage points during that same three-year period.

AfDB resident representative Diko Jacob Mukete said this recent grant could further improve the living conditions for five million more people living the 216 rural areas expected to see the aid.

The Democratic Republic of Congo recently received a $20 million loan towards similar projects - expected to affect 100,000 people - from the bank.

Category: Water