Lake Kivu
Methane gas and power
- The resource: the lake contains about 60 billion m³ of dissolved methane, shared equally between Rwanda and the DRC; Rwanda’s share could support about 350 MW of power.
- KivuWatt: 26 MW at Kibuye (Karongi), in commercial operation since 31 December 2015.
- Shema Power Lake Kivu: 56 MW at Nyamyumba (Rubavu), under a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Rwanda Energy Group.
- Monitoring: the Lake Kivu Monitoring Programme checks that extraction keeps the lake’s layers stable.
Ports and transport
| Port | District | Status | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubavu | Rubavu | Opened December 2024 | 700,000 t of cargo and 2.7 million passengers a year |
| Rusizi | Rusizi | Under construction | 1.3 million t of cargo and 2.3 million passengers a year |
| Karongi | Karongi | Planned | Not yet published |
| Nkora | Rutsiro | Planned | Not yet published |
Building by the lake
- Public shoreline: a strip of 50 m from the lake is kept public; nothing may be built on it.
- Lake ports: the national land use plan lists eight lake ports on the Rwandan shore.
- Tourism: Rubavu (Gisenyi), Karongi (Kibuye) and Rusizi (Kamembe) are the main lake towns for tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Rwandan districts are on Lake Kivu?
Five: Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke and Rusizi.
How is methane from the lake used?
It feeds two power plants with 82 MW between them: KivuWatt, 26 MW, and Shema, 56 MW.
When did the Rubavu port open?
In December 2024. Its cargo capacity is 700,000 tonnes a year.
Can I build right on the shore?
No. Hotels and homes along the shore must leave a public strip by the water.
Sources
- Rwanda Environment Management Authority: Lake Kivu monitoring
- Rwanda Energy Group: Methane gas
- Ministry of Infrastructure: Energy, methane gas in Rwanda
- Rwanda Transport Development Agency: Official inauguration of Rubavu Port
- Ministry of Trade and Industry: Rusizi port construction at 56% completion, two more ports set to begin
- Ministry of Environment: National Land Use and Development Master Plan 2020-2050 (PDF)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.
