KfW, the German development bank has agreed on funding in the amount of over €9.6 million to support the implementation of the Green City of Kigali project.
The financing agreement was signed in Kigali last week by Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Rwanda Thomas Kurz, and Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Rwandan Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. This is the first part of German funding for this important sustainable development project in Rwanda. The German side plans to inject an additional €20 million for the development of the Kigali green city project.
The Green City Kigali Pilot project is an innovative initiative to enhance a paradigm shift in green urbanization and create a model community. Green City Kigali is a flagship project that will be developed on 600 Ha in Kinyinya sector, Gasabo District. Phase I, of the Green City Kigali City will pilot the construction of 1,749 house units on 18 hectares.
The project, once complete, will demonstrate the viability of green cities in Rwanda, and relevant for replicability for the development of Green Secondary Cities at the national level.
Speaking after the signing event, Minister Ndagijimana said the agreement will contribute to the financing of the enabling environment/infrastructure part of the pilot phase of the city. This will include mainly the construction of roads, electricity and water and sanitation supply network to not only leverage and catalyze the private sector investment but also increase the affordability of houses in the Green city.
“Rwanda has decided to fundamentally change the way cities are built by following a holistic and integrated approach to green planning that builds on innovate and future-oriented technologies just as much as on home grown solutions,” Minister Ndagijimana said.