The Government of Rwanda aims to create 150,000 new dwellings annually to meet the projected demand of 5.5 million dwellings by 2050. With the growing population, Kigali City is particularly, in dire need of new and urban residential apartments.

To address housing demand, here is the compilation of ten affordable housing projects expected to give boost to ongoing efforts:

1. BWIZA RIVERSIDE HOMES

The estate located in Karama, Kigali sector of Nyarugenge district was inaugurated by President Paul Kagame on 11th February 2022.

The multibillion eco-friendly homes are developed under a project dubbed ‘Bwiza Riverside Homes’ run by ADHI Rwanda Ltd. ADHI Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADHI Corporate Group established in 2011 in Gabon.

The Bwiza Riverside affordable homes community project was designed primarily with first-time homeowners in mind. Qualifying buyers will choose from four distinct affordable home sizes and styles.

Each of housing units at the estate is estimated to cost between Rwf16 million and Rwf35 million. Rwanda entered agreements with ADHI Rwanda Ltd in November 2020 to implement the project to be completed in five phases.

In addition to the affordable homes, ADHI Corporate has established a training academy for Innovative and Sustainable light steel frame construction. Academy students receive on-site, competence-based training to prepare them for future employment opportunities. As such, the academy students will form a key component in the building of Bwiza Riverside.

2. RUGARAMA PARK ESTATE

Rugarama Park Estate project run by Remote Group seeks to build 2000 affordable homes on 42 hectares in Nyamirambo sector of Nyarugenge district.

Rugarama Park Estate is a joint venture between Shelter Afrique, a Pan-African housing finance institution, the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) and Remote Group – an engineering and construction firm. The project is also in accordance with the City of Kigali master plan and the affordable housing program under the National Housing Policy. The estate will also be comprised of recreational facilities and shopping malls among others.

Rugarama Park Estate will have 1,200 stacked townhouses priced between Rwf 12 million for a-one-bedroom studio to Rwf 35 million for a convertible 4-bedroom units. The likely buyer into this mixed-income mixed-use community will have an income ranging anywhere from Rwf200,000 to Rwf700,000 and they must be first-time homeowners.

The project is estimated to cost US$131 million. It is expected to accommodate 14,000 residents and provide jobs to hundreds of people during construction and various opportunities after construction due to the traffic in the area.

3. KINYINYA PARK ESTATE

Kinyinya Park Estate Project is expected to build 10,000 modern homes in Kinyinya. The housing units are set to be completed in the next three years to accommodate 50,000 Rwandans. The project is valued at US$400 million.

The project is a joint venture between the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Development Funding Institution (DFI), Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank (TDB), Ultimate Developers Limited (UDL) and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC). It will be implemented between three and five years in five phases.

4. BATSINDA PROJECT

Batsinda Project seeks to build affordable houses for salaried workers. The Government introduced a subsidy program to cater for 30% of the total price estimated between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.

These housing units will only be available for first time home owners. Initially, 548 housing units will be built in Batsinda in Kinyinya sector.

5. BUSANZA HOUSING ESTATE

Busanza Housing Estate is located in Kanombe sector in Kicukiro district. It is comprised of different blocks which accommodate families who were living in Kigali’s largest slum bringing together three zones; Kangondo I, Kangondo II, and Kibiraro I.

6. VISION CITY

Vision City is multi-phase housing development in Kigali, Rwanda currently being built by Ultimate Developers Ltd for the Rwanda Social Security Board.

Construction activities for the estate located in Gacuriro of Gasabo district began in 2013. The first phase is comprised of 504 housing units while the entire project is expected to provide 4500 units at a total cost of US$150 million.

The first phase comprises villas and apartments among other categories.

Figures released in 2020 show that 77% of housing units at the estate have been already sold out while 87% of the total cost has been paid. The statistics also indicate that 37% of buyers are public servants, 27% are members of Rwandan diaspora while 9% are foreigners.

In September 2018, the apartments under Vision City estate saw prices slashed to 60% to allow ’eligible’ civil servants to buy apartments on a mortgage deal to be repaid in 20 years at 11% interest rate.

The discount saw the cost of two-room unit sold at Rwf108 million reducing to Rwf63 million.

Among others, the cost of three-room housing unit reduced from Rwf163 million to Rwf94 million and Rwf187 million to Rwf108 million for a four-room house.

7. MASAKA HOUSING PROJECT

A total of 278 housing units under Masaka Housing Project are expected to be built by Remote Estate. They will be classified into five categories namely; 162 apartments, 24 Semi-Detached buildings, 54 townhouses, 7 luxury villas and 34 commercial buildings. Construction of units in the first phase stands at 10%.

The estate will have infrastructures including roads, selling points, garages and playgrounds among other recreational facilities.

Individuals willing to own homes through Remote Estates pays 20% of the total cost in five phases.

A three-bedroom house with a washing room and storage room costs from US$35,000 (approximately Rwf30 million) and above.

8. RIVERSIDE CITY ESTATE

Riverside City Estate has a mega project to build 100 affordable homes in Gahanga of Kicukiro district.

The developer has plots of land in Kagasa cell, Gahanga, nearby Cricket Stadium.
Housing units at the estate cost below Rwf50 million. Interested individuals have options to pay in installments.

Each of houses being constructed at the estate has three rooms, sitting room, dining room, toilets and kitchen.

Each house has a parking for two to three cars, an annex building with an outdoor kitchen, storage room, and another one for security guard.

One house at Riverside City Estate, is stretched on between 300 and 350 square meters.

The second phase of this project is expected to build more 200 housing units in Gahanga. The estate will consist of a nursery school, health center, supermarket and space dedicated for children’s leisure.

9. PROJECT TO BUILD 1300 HOUSING UNITS IN NDERA

The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) in collaboration with partners have designed a mega project to build a modern estate in Ndera with affordable housing units ranging from Rwf27 million and above.

The estate will be comprised of 13000 houses on 18.6 hectares. It is estimated to be completed at a cost of Rwf60 billion. Once completed, the estate is expected to address housing unit demand for employees with income ranging from Rwf261,000 to Rwf1.2 million per month.

Of the houses to be built, 80% will be affordable with a price ranging from Rwf27 million to Rwf35 million while 20% will be comprised of luxurious homes.

10. ISANGE STATE

Isange Estate is being developed by Imara Properties at Rebero Hill in Kigali City. The first phase of the project comprised of 14 housing units is expected to be completed in July this year to be followed by the second comprised of 16 units.

These units constructed in compliance with Kigali City master plan are environment friendly while most of construction materials are sourced locally.

Imara Properties was created with a vision to help Rwandans, particularly Kigali City dwellers to get modern homes.

The second phase of the project will be comprised of 12 apartments and six villas for main residence or rental investment.

It comprises of housing units of different designs featuring sleeping rooms, bathrooms, parking space, kitchen, garden and gym.

Clients can pay 90% of the total cost upfront and the balance later.

There are other options for payments in installments where interested buyers can pay 10%, 20% respectively in the first two months, 30% in the third and fourth month and the remaining 10% in the fifth month. One can also pay 30% upfront and 70% later. Each house has three to four rooms.

A person standing at Isange Estate at Rebero Hill gets a better view Kigali City. It is home to other infrastructures including Kigali Cultural Village.

‘Isange Estate’ was conceived by three Rwandans along with their colleagues from France and Belgium.

11. SEE FAR HOUSING LIMITED

Located in fast-growing Kabeza, See Far Housing, Ltd. is developing 460 one- to fourbedroom apartments, priced at between $20,000 and $95,000. The estate’s initial phase, of 52- units, opened for occupancy in October 2022, with two-thirds already sold. Buyers have been attracted by the affordable prices, location close by job centers, transportation networks, and essential services, as well as the well-designed layouts.

The homes, made of native Rwandan bricks, are situated within carefully placed walkways, parking areas, and landscaped spaces, with an immediately adjacent expansive playground and community meeting area. Many of them have views of the neighboring wetlands. A state-of-theart recreation center will open next door by the end of 2022. Home buyers sleep well knowing that they’ve invested in a property sure to increase in value.

In future phases See Far is working to make the complex as sustainable as possible, both inside the homes (e.g., efficient appliances) and outside (e.g., low-impact mobility solutions). Incorporating sustainable elements would reduce household costs over the long term, enhancing affordability and bolstering homeowners’ ability to lead productive lives and invest in their families. It would also lower greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to making a better Kigali.

To meet the housing unit demand, Rwanda introduced incentives including the provision of infrastructures like roads, water and electricity, and a reduced corporate income tax of 15 per cent to facilitate investors.

The Government of Rwanda has also earmarked 1100 hectares for affordable housing units. So far, 1692 houses have been built in Kigali and secondary cities through six projects while 13 more projects expected to provide 9000 housing units are underway.