Rwanda Smart City- Africa’s Technology Hub in the making

Kigali Innovation City, based on an urban master plan unveiled over two years ago, moved a step closer this week with the announcement that infrastructure investor Africa50 had signed an agreement with Rwandan authorities for exclusive rights to develop and operate the project.

The government hopes the development will attract $300 million in foreign direct investment and generate $150 million in information technology exports

Plans for a “smart city” to be developed in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali

It features four universities, office space, shops and housing built across a 61-hectare site.

Photo Credit: UN Habitat

In 2020, the Rwandan government announced plans to develop a new smart city called Kigali Innovation City (KIC). KIC is envisioned as a hub for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Some key details about the KIC project:

The city is being built on a 70-hectare site just outside of Rwanda's capital Kigali.

KIC will have designated areas focused on fields like fintech, biotech, AI, and smart mobility. There will also be residential, commercial, and green spaces.

Photo Credit: UN Habitat

The development is a public-private partnership involving the Rwandan government as well as international tech companies and investors.

Construction on the first phase began in 2021 and is expected to be completed by 2025. The full buildout is planned to take 10-15 years.

More broadly, Rwanda has been making concerted efforts to position itself as a tech and innovation hub in East Africa. This includes initiatives like the Smart Rwanda Master Plan, which aims to leverage digital technologies to improve service delivery and drive economic growth.

Some other smart city projects in Rwanda include plans to integrate smart transportation, renewable energy, and e-government services in existing cities like Kigali. The country has also been investing heavily in expanding internet access and digital skills training.

Photo Credit: UN Habitat

Overall, Rwanda's smart city ambitions are part of a larger strategy to transform the country into an innovation-driven economy,

It promises to create more than 50,000 jobs, house thousands of African students and be a Citadel of Technology to Africa at large