The State Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, has announced that Rwandans will begin using methane gas extracted from Lake Kivu for cooking starting in 2028.
Speaking during a media program, Uwihanganye said extraction activities are progressing well and that by the first quarter of 2028, households will begin accessing locally produced cooking gas, which is expected to be cheaper than imported gas.
He explained that the project is being implemented in partnership with Gasmeth Energy, which is responsible for extracting and processing methane gas from Lake Kivu. The gas will be used for several purposes including cooking, powering industries and fueling vehicles.
Methane extraction in Lake Kivu initially focused on electricity generation. In 2015, KivuWatt began producing electricity from the lake.
In February 2019, the Government of Rwanda signed an agreement with Gasmeth Energy to begin extracting methane gas for broader use.
On August 18, 2022, the government and Gasmeth Energy laid the foundation stone for a gas processing plant in Bwishyura Sector in Karongi District, marking the start of major infrastructure development for the project.
Under a 25-year agreement, Gasmeth Energy is expected to extract about 40 million cubic meters of methane gas per day from Lake Kivu.
Once operational, the project is expected to supply cooking gas to between 300,000 and 400,000 households across Rwanda.
The project initially cost about $400 million but the investment increased to $560 million in July 2025.
Uwihanganye said the project has reached an advanced stage and will soon begin delivering locally produced gas to Rwandans.
He explained that the gas will primarily benefit institutions such as schools, hospitals, prisons and densely populated communities, helping reduce dependence on imported gas cylinders.
Developing methane gas from Lake Kivu is part of Rwanda’s long-term development strategy under the Vision 2050.
The project also comes at a time when cooking gas prices in Rwanda have significantly increased, making it difficult for many households to afford.