Profitability of Piped Water Systems in Rwanda

This is an in-depth study of the profitability of piped water systems that Water for People has supported in the districts of Rulindo and Gicumbi, Rwanda. The systems are operated by two private operators, Ayateke and PAAK KAM. The purposes of the analysis that was carried out for the study were to assess the operational and financial performance of the systems and, in particular, to examine the legitimacy of Ayateke’s calls for an increase in tariffs charged to users. The study broadly concludes that the systems’ profitability can be dramatically increased if a number of measures are implemented by the operators, without the need for an increase in tariffs.