Project Overview
Project Description
A comprehensive project aimed at advancing renewable energy solutions to promote sustainability and improve energy access in rural and urban communities.
The NISHATI project represents a groundbreaking initiative in Rwanda's renewable energy sector. This comprehensive project is designed to advance sustainable energy solutions while promoting environmental sustainability and improving energy access across both rural and urban communities.
The project focuses on developing innovative approaches to clean energy generation and distribution, with particular emphasis on solar, wind, and biomass technologies. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, NISHATI aims to create a sustainable energy ecosystem that can serve as a model for other African countries.
Key components include technology transfer, capacity building, community training programs, and the establishment of renewable energy hubs in strategic locations across Rwanda.
Project Objectives
- Develop and implement renewable energy solutions in rural communities
- Build local capacity for renewable energy maintenance and operation
- Create sustainable financing mechanisms for clean energy projects
Project Partners
Rwanda Energy Group
Policy support and infrastructure coordination
University of Bologna
Technical expertise and research collaboration
Project Activities
NISHATI PROJECT: DRIVING INNOVATION AND GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AT CUR
The Catholic University of Rwanda (CUR) is actively participating in the NISHATI project, an international initiative dedicated to advancing renewable energy and sustainable agriculture through research, innovation, and collaboration. By engaging in this project, CUR is reinforcing its vision of becoming a hub of academic excellence and applied knowledge for Rwanda and the region.
On 9 September 2025, CUR hosted international seminars under the NISHATI framework, welcoming two renowned professors from Sapienza University of Rome. These sessions embodied the project’s mission of knowledge transfer and capacity building. Prof. Paolo Venturini delivered specialized training on Floating Photovoltaic Systems, a breakthrough technology for sustainable energy, while Prof. Giuliano Agati introduced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in Vertical Farming, a cutting-edge tool for modern agriculture.
Through these exchanges, the NISHATI project demonstrated its impact on multiple fronts:
1) For students: it provided exposure to global expertise, hands-on training, and pathways for future research.
2) For faculty: it enhanced opportunities for international collaboration and joint scientific projects.
3) For the community: it strengthened CUR’s role as a driver of innovation, contributing solutions for energy efficiency and food security.
The seminars highlighted how NISHATI is more than a research project—it is a platform for shaping globally competitive graduates, empowering academic institutions, and fostering sustainable progress. By connecting Rwanda with international expertise, NISHATI, through CUR’s involvement, is building bridges that transform education into real-world impact.