In order to rural-urban migration, which is rampant especially among the youth, government is deepening its implementation of the plan to develop secondary cities in the rural areas.

Part of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2), it seeks to decongest the city and act as a retention plan for the scores of youth who migrate to Kigali every day in search of better employment opportunities and services.

The rationale is to develop villages with modern amenities and services like those found in Kigali such that people find no reason of migrating to the capital.

The project is also expected to provide solutions to the challenge of limited affordable and low cost housing in Kigali.

“We are implementing a plan to make villages attractive through adding value to rural areas,” said Christian Rwakunda, Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure. “We have already started with developing infrastructure such as roads, electrification, water and building schools.

“We are optimistic that this move will unlock growth challenges in the villages.”

Mr Rwakunda said when the plan is implemented, people will not have a reason to move to towns. He added that increasing productivity is at the centre of the plan to stimulate growth in rural areas.

“We intend to develop people’s skills so that they go along with the development. This will, without doubt, lead to job creation; it will be an answer to many challenges facing the rural youth,” he added.

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Mr Rwakunda observed that all the districts to be turned into secondary cities have fully developed master plans which cater for everything, including agricultural land.

Provide answers

Tony Nsaganira, Minister of State for Agriculture, said the plan is timely and will provide answers to some of the key challenges facing even the agricultural sector.

“There is a growing trend of rural-urban migration; most youths think they will be employed by the government,” said Mr Nsaganira. “Developing rural areas will create more opportunities for them; once their cities are equipped with these services and amenities, they will stay.”

The towns that have been earmarked to be transformed into secondary cities are Rubavu, Musanze, Nyagatare, Muhanga, Huye and Rusizi.