Building Control Regulations

Rwanda’s first Building Control Regulations were approved by Cabinet in February 2009, and set out minimum standards and specifications for all aspects of building. The Regulations are just one key document in the Ministry’s quest to harmonise, improve, and support the growth of the construction industry, which is a major source of employment and skill capacity for the country.

The Regulations are an indispensible tool for those involved in all aspects of planning and building - from local government officials to architects and construction workers - and provide guidelines on (amongst others):

• Applying for planning permission
• Structural design
• Plumbing and waste disposal
• Electrical installations and fire protection
• Construction site conditions and safety
• Building inspection, testing and enforcement
• Maintenance

Two new, related laws are to come into force later this year, including the Urban Planning and Building Control Law which will establish standards for both urban planning and construction, and empower of the Ministry to enforce associated regulations.

Additionally, MININFRA is in the early stages of setting up a National Housing Authority, which will oversee all aspects of building construction, planning and inspection in Rwanda.

To read the full Building Control Regulations, please download here .

Energy Efficiency in Rwanda

The Energy Policy for Rwanda which was updated in November 2008 laid down the Government’s commitment to the development and utilisation of renewable energy resources and technologies and energy efficiency promotion. As stipulated in its Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) based on the Vision 2020, Rwanda intends to increase its access to electricity from the current 5% to at least 16% by the year 2012. It also plans to reduce the cost of electricity production mainly by diversifying its indigenous resources that are cheaper than oil products, promoting the Efficient Use of Energy and reducing losses in the power network system and electrogaz commercial losses. The preferred electricity generation sources will include Lake Kivu Methane gas, hydro, geothermal, solar, peat, etc.

 Promotion campaigns on the use of energy saving appliances and devices will help the country to implement the electricity access program at least-cost through connecting more people whilst still using same amount of electricity. Today, when the globe is struggling to achieve sustainable development, energy efficiency is one of the critical issues on the agenda. Saving is always better than generation because it avoids emitting green house gases into atmosphere and helps to reduce climate change as a result. Reducing the amount of energy required per person and increasing the promotion of renewable energy sources will contribute to making the green and environmentally friendly.

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