Contribution of Rugezi hydropower project to business growth in Burera District

Abstract

This project has investigated the changes in business growth and livelihood of people involved in business after uptake of grid electricity services for operation. Livelihood context was used to contribute to understanding of the changes happening in business growth both within and between each other after up taking of grid electricity services. To achieve the aim of this research, the general research question sought to identify the effects of grid electricity services in facilitating and supporting the establishment, growth, expansion, decline, and closure of business in Burera District due to new electricity connection from Rugezi hydropower constructed. This case study used triangulation method to explore the impact of grid electricity services on business growth. Both secondary and primary quantitative and qualitative data have been used for explanation. For data analysis, the statistical tests have been used include Paired T-test to test whether a sample mean of a normally distributed interval variable significantly differs from a hypothesized value and Friendman Test for ranking and appreciating independent and related variables. Therefore, the tables were served to show the results and facilitate analysis and good understanding of the results. The research findings served as tools to stimulate the understanding the contribution of grid electricity services on business growth, allowing stakeholders to take actions and support rural electrification programs, and increasing awareness for businessmen about impact of electricity services on income generating activities and finally to business growth in Burera District.