Rwanda: environment

How many people in Rwanda have electricity?

72% of Rwandan households had electricity in 2024, 50% from the national grid and 22% from solar panels, mainly standalone solar systems, according to the EICV7 Poverty Profile Report. That is more than double the share in 2017.

The World Bank also puts access at 72% of the population in 2024. Most households use electricity mainly for lighting and charging phones. About three-quarters still cook with firewood (63%) or straw and sticks (12%), and 19% with charcoal, according to NISR.

Official sources: NISR: EICV7 Poverty Profile Report 2023/24 · World Bank: Access to electricity, Rwanda

What are the CO2 emissions of Rwanda?

Rwanda emitted 0.16 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to the World Bank, from the EDGAR database. Total greenhouse gas emissions were 8.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, according to the same source.

Per-person CO2 emissions are low because most household energy comes from wood and electricity use is small. Agriculture, through livestock and fertiliser, is a large source of methane and nitrous oxide. Rwanda reports its own inventory to the UN climate convention; the Rwanda Environment Management Authority coordinates environmental monitoring.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Rwanda · World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions, Rwanda

What is the air quality like in Rwanda?

People in Rwanda were exposed to an average of 36.0 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank, almost unchanged from 2022. The WHO annual guideline is 5 micrograms.

The figure is a modelled, population-weighted national average. Household cooking with firewood and charcoal, which NISR's EICV7 survey shows is used by most households, is a major source of exposure indoors and outdoors, along with vehicle traffic. The Rwanda Environment Management Authority runs Rwanda's air quality monitoring network.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, Rwanda · REMA

How much of Rwanda is forest?

Forests covered 26.1% of Rwanda's land area in 2024, up from 25.5% in 2023, according to FAO data published by the World Bank.

The FAO counts land with trees taller than five metres and canopy cover above 10% on more than half a hectare, including plantations as well as natural forests. NISR's agricultural survey reports that 59% of land was used for agriculture in season B of 2026, according to its key figures.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area, Rwanda · NISR: Key figures

What is Rwanda's carbon footprint per person?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 0.2 tonnes. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 0.2 tonnes; its low point was 2008, at 0.1 tonnes. It is 37th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.4 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 172nd highest.

What are Rwanda's emissions?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Rwanda was 8.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Rwanda is 34th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 144th highest.

What share of Rwanda's energy comes from renewables?

The latest figure from the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, for 2022, is 79.9%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 79.4% (2021) to 90.6% (2006). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 70.0%, and Rwanda placed 8th highest of 23. Worldwide: 9th of 53.

What share of Rwanda is covered by forest?

26.1%: that is forest area as a share of land in Rwanda for 2024, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 22.2%; Rwanda is 21st highest of 48. Worldwide: 107th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Rwanda?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Rwanda was 36.0 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 40.6 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2018, at 32.2 micrograms per cubic metre. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and Rwanda placed 13th highest of 48. Worldwide: 30th of 192.

What share of Rwanda is protected land?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Rwanda at 9.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2013 was 2013, at 10.7%; its low point was 2015, at 8.8%. It is 38th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 16.9%. Worldwide: 147th of 192.

What is water stress in Rwanda?

The FAO puts water stress in Rwanda at 20.2% in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.1%; Rwanda is 10th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 68th of 175.