Woman at tap - Photo credits: Theophile H. Water For People in Rwanda
IRC conducted an Outcome Harvesting process in December 2024 in Rwanda to document tangible changes resulting from its interventions.
Published on: 13/03/2025
In Nyakarambi sector, Kirehe district, a severe water crisis was unfolding due to the town's growing population outpacing existing infrastructure. However, instead of waiting for external intervention, local leaders took proactive steps. In 2023, Kirehe district mobilised funds from WaterAid and WASAC to extend the Gahezi Water Supply System, aiming to alleviate the water shortage. This initiative showcased the power of district leadership and stakeholder collaboration in driving sustainable change. Through annual reflection meetings facilitated by IRC and Water For People, the district built a strong network of WASH partners committed to finding solutions.
Once completed in April 2025, the extension will provide safe water access to approximately 30,020 people, including residents of new settlement sites, schools, health facilities, hotels, markets, and other public spaces. Among the key beneficiaries are four health posts, two health centres, one hospital, and ten schools, ensuring improved services for thousands in Nyakarambi town. This expansion marks a critical step toward a more sustainable and reliable water supply, reinforcing the impact of local leadership and partnership-driven solutions.
In Ngoma district, a persistent challenge threatened water service delivery: vandalism of water infrastructure. However, in early 2023, the district's security authorities, in collaboration with the District Water and Sanitation Board (DWASHB), actively addressed this issue. This intervention was the result of sustained efforts by IRC through training and revitalisation of DWASHB structures. By equipping district officials and security personnel with the necessary skills and awareness, Ngoma district developed a clear action plan to prevent vandalism, safeguard water infrastructure, and engage the community in protecting these vital resources.
The action plan includes collaborative community awareness visits conducted jointly with security authorities, educating residents on the broader impacts of vandalism, and reinforcing the penalties for those involved. Additionally, regular reporting mechanisms between village governance structures and the police have been put in place to enhance accountability and ensure swift intervention. These efforts have strengthened community engagement and positioned water infrastructure protection as a shared responsibility.
The success of these initiatives reflects a broader movement in Rwanda's WASH sector, recognising that sustainable water and sanitation services depend on strong governance, cross-sector collaboration, and community involvement. As Kirehe and Ngoma districts continue to lead the way, they offer powerful examples of how local solutions can drive national change.
Since 2021, IRC has been actively engaged in strengthening WASH systems in Rwanda, implementing six projects with a combination of global, regional and in-country expertise. To assess progress, IRC conducted an Outcome Harvesting process in December 2024 to document tangible changes resulting from these interventions.
The outcomes harvested have been categorised into three main areas:
The Ministry of Infrastructure published a revised national water and sanitation policy in October 2023, integrating water supply, sanitation, and water resource management policies to address service gaps. IRC played a crucial role in this process by facilitating sector performance review workshops and revising the multiyear action plan (2022-2024), which included accelerating policy harmonisation. IRC trained central and local government staff on full life cycle costing for sustainable WASH services, which led to the development of district WASH investment plans. These plans are now being used by districts for resource mobilisation, ensuring long-term sustainability of WASH services.
The adoption of digital billing systems has marked a significant step forward in enhancing financial sustainability for rural water management. Since October 2024, 36 private operators have adopted the Rural Customer Management System (CMS), a digital billing system for rural water supply. This development was influenced by IRC's facilitation of sector performance review workshops in May 2022, which contributed to the inclusion of a central billing system in the revised multiyear action plan. Furthermore, in July 2024, WASAC committed to piloting a Smart Water Management System in Gasabo District, integrating tools like SCADA and IoT-based monitoring. This initiative follows lessons learned from an Odisha (India) learning exchange facilitated by IRC.
Ngoma district has seen significant improvements in addressing water infrastructure vandalism through the active engagement of security authorities in collaboration with the DWASHB platform. This has enhanced community ownership and sustainability of water services. IRC contributed by organising refresher training on DWASHB functionality, leading to the platform's revitalisation. Additionally, strengthening local WASH governance has emerged as a key recommendation from the WASH Finance Strategy developed by IRC for UNICEF and the Ministry of Infrastructure in 2022. Initiatives include improving the capacity and skills of District WASH Boards to plan, budget, and monitor all WASH sub-sectors. For instance, Nyagatare DWASHB took an executive decision to invite sector authorities to discuss community unpaid water bills, resulting in improved accountability. Similarly, Rwamagana DWASHB adopted a public tap management tool inspired by Nyamagabe district’s best practices, enhancing water service delivery. These initiatives were reinforced through inter-district DWASHB learning exchanges organised by IRC.
The achievements in these districts highlight the effectiveness of a systems-strengthening approach. However, to ensure universal and sustainable WASH services across Rwanda, further expansion of these strategies is necessary:
IRC’s work in Rwanda has demonstrated that system-wide change is possible—but it requires sustained investment, partnerships, and commitment. Here’s how you can support the next phase of impact:
Together, we can build sustainable WASH systems for every district in Rwanda.
Disclaimer: This article was written entirely by Bénigne Mugwaneza Ishimwe. Software assistance was used for stylistic and linguistic improvement.
