Rwanda's 'Green City Kigali' project granted $28m

Rwanda will receive $28 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a fund that was established by the UN to escalate human action in response to climate change, that will aid the Green City Kigali project.

This initiative, which was launched by the City of Kigali in September based on the current Kigali Master Plan 2050, is projected to tackle environmental and urban challenges through innovative models of green urbanisation.

Dr Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, pointed out that this movement will diminish serious risks to the lives of the country's residents, fostering a better quality of life for them.

"This agreement underscores the strength of our partnership at a critical time when the effects of climate change are increasingly evident," Uwamariya noted.

According to the Ministry of Environment, virtually 77.3% of Kigali's population inhabit unplanned settlements, making the city highly susceptible to climate-related risks such as floods and landslides.

It is expected that between 170,000 and 200,000 affordable, environmentally friendly urban community residents will be constructed as part of the Green City Kigali initiative over the next five years.

The initiative will be carried out in six villages of Birembo, Rusenyi, Ngaruyinka, Gasharu, Binunga, and Taba across the Murama and Gasharu cells in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District.

55% of the space will be occupied by infrastructures including schools, marketplaces, hospitals, and recreational and sports facilities, among others.

The Green City Kigali is an initiative, led by the Government of Rwanda, that aims to address environmental and urban challenges through innovative models of green urbanisation.

The German government, through KfW Development Bank, will also fund this initiative, providing €40 million.