The Kigali City Council (KCC) has started implementing a multimillion-dollar master plan that will see the expansion of the city in the next 50 years.

Currently about 25 hectares of prime land are available for development, as part of the development plan of the newly created Central Business District under the new city master plan that promises to create “a new Kigali” different from the existing city.

Developments expected include Kimihurura Gateway for the development of commercial, tourism and recreation facilities on 53 hectares of prime land, of modern and purpose-built infrastructure to the tune of $15 million.

The master plan was designed by Oz Architecture, an American company and Singapore-based Savannah Group.

It focuses on a 730sq km of the city which includes a decentralised growth strategy with six proposed urban centres of Kicukiro, Nyarugenge and Gasabo Districts.

It also includes a multi-modal transportation system that will be constructed in advance to prevent congestion with the predicted boom of commercial development in the city.

Prices of prime land around the CBD range between approximately Rwf59,000-Rwf80, 000 ($100-$136) per square metre.

According to Dr Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, the mayor of Kigali city, implementation of the master plan has kicked off, with approximately 10 per cent completed so far since 2008.

However, the mayor observed that the core principles and the guidance and mobilisation needed for implementation has gone further than that.

“Implementing the Master Plan is a process. First there has to be a common understanding in the community because we have stakeholders in the development of the city. The communities, politicians and the investment community all need to come on board,” Dr Kirabo noted.

She added that the City Council has been holding investors’ forum with the private sector to iron out problems arising in the investment process.

Recently, Opulent Hotel Group recently acquired 10 acres of the planned Kigali amusement park land worth $1.2 million and announced plans to build a Hilton brand hotel in the country.

The 26 hectare amusement park is located in a prime area between Nyarutarama and Kacyiru in Gasabo district in the CBD.

Last year, the government re-advertised the proposed amusement and hospitality park after Dubai World withdrew from the project in an attempt to trim spending following the 2008 global financial crisis.  

According to the Council, five companies, three foreign and two local, have expressed interest in the mega Kigali City Park this year.

Global hotel chain Marriott is also constructing a five star hotel worth over $60 million in the CBD on part of the city park land.

Dr Kirabo told The EastAfrican recently that the government has agreed to subsidise land prices within the CBD.

The master plan also provides land for expansion of Kigali’s CBD on 50 hectares of prime land — Kimichinga development zone as well as development of upmarket residential housing.

Another area for development is the Akumunigo Site which is an ongoing project covering 58 hectares and designed to develop plots of land for low and medium-cost housing.

It has been partially funded by an African Development Corporation and a World Bank grant to the tune of $1.2 million.

However, the mayor said while the council is yet to enforce provisions of the master plan regarding buildings, notices have been sent out to institutions that are expected to relocate.

Currently 13 embassies, 137 non-governmental organisations, 20 public offices and 38 private entities are expected to relocate to specific designated areas under the master plan.

Embassies and NGOs have been given a deadline of June 30 to get appropriate offices while the private sector has been given until March 31 this year.

“For those who do not abide by the deadline, appropriate measures will be taken by relevant authorities, the city authorities and central government,” said Bruno Rangira, the City’s spokesperson.

Recently, the city council unveiled a 32 hectare “Diplomatic Village” with the proposed site where diplomatic missions and residences will be built, in line with the City Master Plan.

The proposed village has 27 diplomatic plots and each embassy will have between 0.8 – 1 hectare of land to build all the required facilities, with buildings limited to three-storey.

While it is not compulsory for all embassies to shift to the village, the council says those with offices in areas reserved for residences will have to move.

To promote private investment, the council and the central government have also initiated infrastructure development around the city such as increasing tarmac roads from approximately 100 kilometres last year to over 145 kilometers this year.

“When you talk about the plan, the first question most investors ask is how easy it will be to access good roads, sewage system, electricity and water. By mid this year we shall have almost doubled the water supply in Kigali,” the mayor said.