KIGALI: The World Bank has approved $10 million as additional financing to boost Rwanda’s fight against HIV/AIDS, a statement issued in Kigali recently said.

“The funding will assist the government in consolidating the gains from the initial investments, focusing on interventions with the most significant impact with regard to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care,” the statement read in part.

This grant augments the original one of $30.5 million from the International Development Association (IDA) which was disbursed two years. It was also in recognition of Rwanda’s efforts in making the poor access HIV/AIDS services.

“The government of Rwanda has made important strides in scaling up access to HIV/AIDS services, improving coverage, and removing financial barriers for the poor,” said Miriam Schneidman, the World Bank Senior Health Specialist in the same statement.

Rwanda is also to benefit from another $6 million grant to enable the government reform the microfinance sector, improve auditing and accounting standards, as well as strengthen regulation and supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI).
Meanwhile, a new World Bank study has recommended that Rwanda explores the use geothermal energy in order to alleviate the current energy crisis.

The findings are part of a major World Bank study, Building Science, Technology, and Innovation Capacity in Rwanda: Developing Practical Solutions to Practical Problem, presented early this week to government, development partners and the private sector in Kigali.

The study was commissioned by government in 2006 as part of efforts to turn round the economy through sustainable use of science and technology.
According to a 1999 preliminary report by the US Geological Energy Association, Rwanda’s geothermal resources may be sufficient to provide 100 percent electrification of the country.

Rwanda, like Uganda has been facing a power crisis due to low capacity from its many but small hydro plants.
 - Sulah Nuwamanya