Rwanda Announces First Oil Discovery in Lake Kivu
Rwanda has confirmed its first-ever oil discovery, identifying 13 reservoirs in Lake Kivu, which lies along its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“We have oil,” announced Francis Kamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board, during a parliamentary hearing, as reported by local media outlet Igihe. The discovery follows more than a decade of exploration efforts in the lake.
Kamanzi expressed optimism about uncovering additional reserves, noting the significant oil deposits already identified in neighboring Uganda and the DRC within the Great Lakes region.
Despite ongoing tensions in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels with alleged Rwandan backing have seized parts of the region, the two countries have maintained dialogue regarding the shared exploration of Lake Kivu’s resources.
This breakthrough positions Rwanda to potentially benefit from the region’s growing energy sector, fostering hopes for economic transformation and energy independence.
