The Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) has received advanced groundwater monitoring and geophysical equipment from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with financial support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), under the Global Water Leadership (GWL) Programme.

The handover, held at UNICEF headquarters, marks another milestone in the strong partnership between UNICEF and RWB in strengthening Rwanda’s groundwater management and long-term water security.

The equipment, worth over 300 million Rwandan francs, includes a Syscal Pro Switch 96 geophysical survey system, 10 Ecolog batteries, and 48 data loggers (Ecolog1000) capable of transmitting real-time groundwater data to RWB’s central system. This technology will enhance groundwater mapping accuracy, improve the success rate of borehole drilling, and enable RWB to monitor water levels and quality across the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Eng. Richard Nyirishema, Executive Chairperson of RWB, applauded UNICEF and FCDO for their continued collaboration and support, noting that the new equipment will make a tangible impact on sustainable water management.

“This contribution will significantly strengthen our capacity to monitor, manage, and sustainably develop groundwater resources,” he said. “It enhances evidence-based decision-making that is essential for Rwanda’s water security and climate resilience.”

Lieke van de Wiel, UNICEF Representative in Rwanda, highlighted the partnership’s progress over the past four years, which includes groundwater mapping in 10 districts, staff capacity building, and the development of a national groundwater monitoring strategy.

“This equipment will enable RWB experts to accurately map subsurface geology and monitor groundwater in real time,” she said. “It represents another important step in ensuring that every child and every family in Rwanda has access to safe and reliable water.”

RWB currently operates 26 groundwater monitoring stations across the country. The addition of 48 new data loggers will strengthen and expand this network, enabling wider coverage and more consistent real-time monitoring of groundwater levels and quality.

The partnership between RWB, UNICEF, and FCDO continues to play a vital role in advancing the sustainable management of groundwater, a key pillar of Rwanda’s climate resilience and water security strategy.