Publications

Financing biogas installations in Rwanda

This short report presents a case study on financing clean energy in Rwanda. The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and the ministry of Rwanda have set up a National Domestic Biogas Programme (NDBP) with clear objectives of developing a commercially viable and market oriented Rwandan biogas sector; building 15,000 family sized, quality biogas plants by the end of 2011 (first phase of 4 years). SNV has developed expertise in supporting setting up biogas sectors in various countries. The integrated advisory services given by SNV to NDBP include close support to the programme for its set up and developing various tools needed for strengthening the programme activities. Among others, financial systems’ support plays a vital role in the development of the programme and grants to small farmers an easy access to sufficient initial capital they need to acquire a biogas system. This report presents amongst others an overview of financing of domestic biogas plants in Rwanda, development of a loan product, cash flow estimation per household, a summary of the role of SNV in developing Rwandan (microfinance) biogas product, steps forward, and lessons learnt.

This short document presents a case study about linking biogas technology to the market approach with the development of a well driven public private partnership. SNV’s main client is the National Domestic Biogas Programme, whose objective is to develop a commercial deployment of biogas technology. SNV has been designing, developing and supporting the programme since its introduction to Rwanda. The biogas business requires the development of a market with a well-coordinated private public business at levels. This case study highlights how public private partnership using a market approach is leading to sustainable economic development and improved business climate.

The results show that the private and public partnership has brought:
• A solid foundation to the realisation and setting of the programme;
• It influenced positively district performance contracts;
• The development of a sustainable market;
• It has reduced the direct implication of the programme as a public institution in the development of the market;
• A long-term demand for the product has been created and the operational structure is fixed;
• The report ends with an extensive lessons learned section and challenges and opportunities section.

Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority Takes the Lead in Modernising Beekeeping in Rwanda

This Rwanda Practice brief highlights the findings of a study on certification opportunities based on the experiences of SNV and the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) in Rwanda. The brief explores the potential for sector and coffee chain development via certification systems and other sustainable initiatives.

Sustainable Impact in the Rwanda Coffee Sector

SNV has been designing, developing and supporting the National Domestic Biogas Programme (NDBP) since its introduction to Rwanda. NDBPs stated objective is to achieve commercial deployment of biogas technology. The development of a biogas market requires well-coordinated private-public business interactions at levels. This case study highlights how public-private partnership, within the context of a market approach, can lead to sustainable economic development and an improved business climate.

The outcome shows that collaboration between the private and public sectors have resulted in:
• A solid foundation for achieving the goals of the programme;
• Yearly District performance contracts reflects targets for bio-digester construction, which means that it would be part of the products delivered by the District at the end of the period;
• The development of a sustainable market for biogas related products and services;
• Reduced role of the programme, as a public institution, in the development of the market;
• Long-term demand for bio-digesters;
• The study ends with an extensive section about lessons leaned and challenges and opportunities for the programme, the private companies, the public sector and specific opportunities for public-private partnerships.