Rural Electrification And Performance Of Micro And Small Entreprises (MSEs) In Rwanda : A Case Study Of Gatsibo District

Abstract

Rural electrification is believed to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The main objective of this research was to identify the impact of rural electrification on the performance and Development of Micro and Small enterprises in rural areas of Gatsibo district and these findings were expected to stimulate the productive uses of grid electricity for increasing income and then poverty reduction. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research design; it was qualitative research because the researcher measured the respondent’s perception on the effect of rural electrification on performance and development micro and small enterprises in Gatsibo District of Rwanda using inferential statistics, based on the research objectives. The researcher also used quantitative research design which was descriptive to retrieve the respondent’s opinions on the effect of rural electrification on the performance and development of micro and small enterprises in Gatsibo District of Rwanda and the study findings of this research revealed that there is a possibility of rapid emergence and development of MSEs in rural areas of the same characteristics as Gatsibo district if the electricity supplied should be available, reliable and affordable to most of rural poor and concluded that the Government of Rwanda trough the Ministry of Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority and Rural Electrification Roll out program (EARP) should extend the rural electrification areas that are not yet connected to electricity. Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) should endeavor to supply electricity all the time so as to minimize the black out which leads to loss of revenue like it was revealed in the data made.