NBI governance and Development Partners to jointly review NBI progress

{The annual Strategic Dialogue between members of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) Technical Advisory Committee (Nile-TAC) and NBI’s primary donors is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from 28th to 29th October, 2013. Participants will use the forum to review NBI progress, show case success in advancing trans-boundary investments around Nile waters as well as discuss challenges facing the Nile cooperation. }

This year’s event, the 8th in a series, will also present an excellent opportunity for the NBI leadership (Members of the Nile Council of Ministers attending the meeting), to meet with Development Partners and express interest in the continued support to NBI as well as investment financing given that many projects prepared by NBI are in need of investment financing.

The 8th Strategic Dialogue preceded by a field visit to the site for the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydro-electric Project on 27th October, 2013.

The Regional Rusumo Falls Hydro-electric Project, a joint undertaking by Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania is due for implementation effective 2015. The project presents a major milestone in trans-boundary cooperation in the Nile and a significant achievement for the countries and NBI.

The Rusumo Falls were earmarked as a potential area for hydro power generation as early as 1970s. However, civil conflict, absence of a mechanism for coordination and lack of investment prevented progress on the plan.

The NBI, through NELSAP-CU rejuvenated the Regional Rusumo Hydro-electric project in terms of definition, feasibility studies, environmental and social impact analysis as well as initiating and coordinating dialogue between the participating countries on one hand and Development Partners on the other for financing arrangements.

The USD 470 million projects will generate 80MW of renewable hydroelectric power to boost the badly needed, reliable power supply in the three countries. The additional power will increase the access rates by 5.4% (520,000 people) in Burundi, 4 % (467,000 people) in Rwanda and 0.34% (159,000 people) in Tanzania. Other benefits from the project include reduction in electricity costs, lower final cost of goods and services, lower cost energy to homes as well as employment for 1000 people during construction and installation of the plant.