New sustainable bulk water project worth approx. USD 75 million

The Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project will support Rwanda's Government commitment to provide safe water for all citizens by 2017

31st March 2015 Kigali, Rwanda

Metito, the leader and provider of choice for total intelligent water management solutions in emerging markets, today signed a concession agreement for a Public- Private- Partnership (PPP) water project worth USD 75 million with the government of Rwanda to develop a new, sustainable bulk water supply plant in Kigali to serve 40 percent of Kigali city' potable water requirements.

The signing took place in Kigali, Rwanda, at a special ceremony that was coordinated by Rwanda's Development Board (the country's investment promotion organ), the Water and Sanitation Corporation Ltd (WASAC), and the Ministry of Infrastructure - and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and is the first water concession contract of such scale awarded by the government of Rwanda, and the largest in terms of capacity and value in Sub Saharan Africa, outside of South Africa.

Speaking at the signing, Hon. Germaine Kamayirese, Minister of State in Charge of Energy, Water and Sanitation, said "Rwanda is undergoing massive economic development, it is imperative that we have the infrastructure that can support the country's ambitions. The implementation of this project is part of the Vision 2020 plan to keeping up with increased demand for clean water, while improving its quality".

Mutaz Ghandour, Metito Chairman and CEO also said, "Today is a milestone for Metito as we join hands for the first time with the enlightened government and people of Rwanda in what we know will be a long and mutually beneficial partnership".

"We are all here today to set a precedent, and mark a truly important achievement - not only for Rwanda - as we are setting the stage for what will become an exemplar project for public private partnerships for the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa.   We have successfully implemented projects under concession basis across a number of other markets but the strategic implications of this particular project make it truly special. We are genuinely honoured to be part of this sustainable and visionary project that will serve the people of Kigali today and for generations to come", Mutaz added.

To celebrate this project and to further cement Metito's commitment to Rwanda, the company has established Kigali Water, a fully owned subsidiary of Metito who will be managing this inaugural project and all future local projects. This comes in-line with the company's motto and successful business formula; Local presence, Global knowhow.

The plant, which will take approximately two years to construct, will be located in Kanzenze in the South Eastern part of Kigali. On completion the plant will supply 40,000 m3/d of treated groundwater, which will be extracted from the south bank of the Nyabarongo River. It will supplement existing water supplies and meet Kigali's growing water demands - a city with a population of over one million residents.

Through this PPP arrangement, which is set for 27 years, Metito will be responsible for the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the treatment plant,  and forwarding infrastructure including transmission pipelines to three storage reservoirs of 7,500. m3; 5,000 m3; and 7,500 m3.

"IFC advised the Government of Rwanda on structuring the Kigali water project, which will improve public health and living standards in the city" said Oumar Seydi, IFC Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. "IFC's long-standing experience in public-private partnerships has shown us that private companies can help government deliver public services such as electricity, water, health, and education more effectively."

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Issued on behalf of Metito by Grayling
Zeeshan Masud
Tel.: +971 4 3755017
Email: zeeshan.masud@grayling.com

About Metito
Metito is the leader and provider of choice for total intelligent water management solutions in the emerging markets with operations covering three business areas: design and build, specialty chemicals, and utilities. With over fifty years of operational experience, the group provides customized, comprehensive and advanced solutions across the full spectrum of its industry, from clean to dirty water.

With a mission to sustain the world's water resources, Metito provides effective water management and treatment systems that can reconcile the ever growing water demand and the dwindling natural resources. Committed to a cleaner environment, Metito endeavours to utilise its world-class global knowhow to provide millions of people across the globe access to clean and safe water.

Metito is at the forefront of the water and waste water industry with a current global project portfolio in excess of US$ 1 billion and over 2500 employees across its worldwide operations.

metito.com

© Press Release 2015