Several densely populated neighbourhoods of Kigali have been given six years—from 2024 to 2031—to be upgraded with modern housing composed mainly of two storey residential units, according to the city’s new Master Plan of 2020.

Some residents living in these unsafe areas told KIGALIINFO that they are uncertain about what will happen next, especially since the Government has prohibited further construction on their plots.

This restriction stems from Rwanda’s Urban Housing Policy, which bars residents of informal settlements from putting up new structures. Instead, investors will build housing on behalf of the government, which will later sell or rent the units to interested citizens—while reserving a number of doors for families who originally owned the land.

Nyiraneza and her colleague, who trade fish and vegetables at Gisozi Market, say the remaining six years before they must relocate to make way for modern housing is causing anxiety about where they will go next.

“We didn’t know that within six years we would have to leave this place,” Nyiraneza said. “But can’t they buy our homes so that I move and purchase property elsewhere outside the city? Our wish is for them to compensate me so I can resettle elsewhere.”

Sylvestre Gakwaya, an elderly man living at Gisozi,   says he is ready to construct a modern house on his plot if the government permits it. For neighbours who lack the means to build, he believes they would be willing to provide their land for high-quality housing developments in exchange for receiving some of the completed units as compensation.

Claudine Uwamahoro, another resident, says she hopes to receive a replacement home of the same size as her current one, with the developer keeping the upper or lower floor—but without her losing any of her existing living space.

Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, recently explained the Urban Housing Policy to Parliament, noting that the government is seeking partners willing to invest in constructing affordable housing for citizens.

“We are now focusing on rehousing, rather than giving people money to relocate elsewhere,” Dr. Gasore said. “The goal is to rebuild high-quality homes on the same land so that people don’t leave communities they’re accustomed to. Moving households can sometimes make it difficult for them to adapt.”

He added that the government will allocate land to investors who build these units. Upon completion, families who provided land will receive their portion, while the remaining houses will be sold at affordable rates to help lower rental costs.

Dr. Gasore also explained that affordable homes will cost between 25 million and 40 million RWF, depending on the number of rooms. For people unable to buy or rent these private units, there will be communal housing where low-income residents “can simply place a bed and sleep.”

According to the 2022 national census, Rwanda’s urban population exceeds 3.7 million, with Kigali alone accounting for more than 1.7 million residents. About 87% of Kigali’s population lives in urban areas, while the remaining 13% reside in peri-urban zones.

The City of Kigali reports that nearly 60% of its residents live in informal settlements. By 2035, the city aims to reduce that figure to 20%.