Through initiatives like the affordable housing program, the government seeks to address low and middle-income communities’ housing challenges.
Speaking at the recent launch of “Bwiza Riverside Homes” project in Karama, Kigali sector of Nyarugenge district, President Paul Kagame said that the country is committed to make possible efforts to help people access affordable houses that are needed in large numbers.
“If we can move faster, that should be our aim. On the side of Government, we feel we should do whatever is possible within our means to have our people access the kind of affordable houses that are needed in so large numbers. But today, we saw what is possible; we are going to stick with it and will demand that every one of us in the Government system does what we can possibly do to make significant progress,” Kagame noted.
“We have partners who want to support the Government to be able to house our people. I think they have seen what is possible with this model. I also think, it invites all of us for this strong partnership we can forge to be able to achieve what needs to be done,” he added.
Affordable housing projects are expected to help the Government of Rwanda meet targets to increase urbanization rate from 18% to 35% in 2024 to support economic growth.
Particularly, Kigali City needs more 310,000 housing units between 2017 and 2023. Meeting the target, will help middle income earners to own houses and address the issue of informal settlements.
In this article, we have compiled ten affordable housing projects expected to give boost to ongoing efforts to address housing demand in Kigali.
{{Bwiza Riverside Homes}}
The estate located in Karama, Kigali sector of Nyarugenge district was inaugurated by President Paul Kagame on 11th February 2022.
The multibillion eco-friendly homes are developed under a project dubbed ‘Bwiza Riverside Homes’ run by ADHI Rwanda Ltd. ADHI Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADHI Corporate Group established in 2011 in Gabon.
The Bwiza Riverside affordable homes community project was designed primarily with first-time homeowners in mind. Qualifying buyers will choose from four distinct affordable home sizes and styles.
Each of housing units at the estate is estimated to cost between Rwf16 million and Rwf35 million. Rwanda entered agreements with ADHI Rwanda Ltd in November 2020 to implement the project to be completed in five phases.
So far, seven model units have been completed. They are part of out of 245 units expected to be completed this year.
At least 300 million housing units are needed globally not later than 2030 to address housing needs particularly in the Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.
Commenting on the project, Clare Akamanzi, RDB CEO welcomed the investment by ADHI in the provision of affordable housing.
“It boosts the government’s goal for urbanisation to reach 35 per cent by 2024. However, we need to see more houses being built as there is still a significant gap to meet the demand for affordable housing. We encourage more developers to take advantage of the existing incentives, which include the provision of infrastructures like roads, water and electricity, and a reduced corporate income tax of 15 per cent,” she said.
During the unveiling, guests toured five completed model homes, which will serve as the “blueprints” for all other housing units to be built over the next two years. Upon completion of the development, Bwiza Riverside will comprise 1,680 affordable houses and 720 luxury units.
In addition to the affordable homes, ADHI Corporate has established a training academy for Innovative and Sustainable light steel frame construction. Academy students receive on-site, competence-based training to prepare them for future employment opportunities. As such, the academy students will form a key component in the building of Bwiza Riverside.
To ensure access to affordable financing, enabling more Rwandans to purchase homes in the project, ADHI Corporate has partnered with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
{{Rugarama Park Estate}}
Rugarama Park Estate project run by Remote Group seeks to build 2000 affordable homes on 42 hectares in Nyamirambo sector of Nyarugenge district.
Rugarama Park Estate is a joint venture between Shelter Afrique, a Pan-African housing finance institution, the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) and Remote Group – an engineering and construction firm. The project is also in accordance with the City of Kigali master plan and the affordable housing program under the National Housing Policy. The estate will also be comprised of recreational facilities and shopping malls among others.
Rugarama Park Estate will have 1,200 stacked townhouses priced between Rwf 12 million for a-one-bedroom studio to Rwf 35 million for a convertible 4-bedroom units. The likely buyer into this mixed-income mixed-use community will have an income ranging anywhere from Rwf200,000 to Rwf700,000 and they must be first-time homeowners.
The project is estimated to cost US$131 million. It is expected to accommodate 14,000 residents and provide jobs to hundreds of people during construction and various opportunities after construction due to the traffic in the area.
{{Kinyinya Park Estate Project}}
Kinyinya Park Estate Project is expected to build 10,000 modern homes in Kinyinya. The housing units are set to be completed in the next three years to accommodate 50,000 Rwandans. The project is valued at US$400 million.
The project is a joint venture between the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Development Funding Institution (DFI), Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank (TDB), Ultimate Developers Limited (UDL) and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC).It will be implemented between three and five years in five phases.
{{Batsinda Project}}
Batsinda Project seeks to build affordable houses for salaried workers. The Government introduced a subsidy program to cater for 30% of the total price estimated between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
These housing units will only be available for first time home owners. Initially, 548 housing units will be built in Batsinda in Kinyinya sector.
As per figures from Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), the project’s progress is at 25%.
{{Busanza Housing Estate}}
Busanza Housing Estate is located in Kanombe sector in Kicukiro district. It is comprised of different blocks to accommodate families who were living in Kigali’s largest slum bringing together three zones; Kangondo I, Kangondo II, and Kibiraro I.
Over 570 families have been resettled in Busanza estate while more than 800 families from Kangondo and Kibiraro are to be relocated. So far, 1200 housing units at the Busanza estate have been completed.
Each of resettled residents will receive a unit equivalent to his/her properties in Kangondo and Kibiraro.
{{Vision City Project }}
Vision City is multi-phase housing development in Kigali, Rwanda currently being built by Ultimate Developers Ltd for the Rwanda Social Security Board.
Construction activities for the estate located in Gacuriro of Gasabo district began in 2013. The first phase is comprised of 504 housing units while the entire project is expected to provide 4500 units at a total cost of US$150 million.
The first phase comprises villas and apartments among other categories.
Figures released in 2020 show that 77% of housing units at the estate have been already sold out while 87% of the total cost has been paid. The statistics also indicate that 37% of buyers are public servants, 27% are members of Rwandan diaspora while 9% are foreigners.
In September 2018, the apartments under Vision City estate saw prices slashed to 60% to allow ‘eligible’ civil servants to buy apartments on a mortgage deal to be repaid in 20 years at 11% interest rate.
The discount saw the cost of two-room unit sold at Rwf108 million reducing to Rwf63 million.
Among others, the cost of three-room housing unit reduced from Rwf163 million to Rwf94 million and Rwf187 million to Rwf108 million for a four-room house.
{{Masaka Housing Project}}
A total of 278 housing units under Masaka Housing Project are expected to be built by Remote Estate. They will be classified into five categories namely; 162 apartments, 24 Semi-Detached buildings, 54 townhouses, 7 luxury villas and 34 commercial buildings. Construction of units in the first phase stands at 10%.
The estate will have infrastructures including roads, selling points, garages and playgrounds among other recreational facilities.
Individuals willing to own homes through Remote Estates pays 20% of the total cost in five phases.
A three-bedroom house with a washing room and storage room costs from US$35,000 (approximately Rwf30 million) and above.
{{Riverside City Estate}}
Riverside City Estate has a mega project to build 100 affordable homes in Gahanga of Kicukiro district.
The developer has plots of land in Kagasa cell, Gahanga, nearby Cricket Stadium.
Housing units at the estate cost below Rwf50 million. Interested individuals have options to pay in installments.
Each of houses being constructed at the estate has three rooms, sitting room, dining room, toilets and kitchen.
Each house has a parking for two to three cars, an annex building with an outdoor kitchen, storage room, and another one for security guard.
One house at Riverside City Estate, is stretched on between 300 and 350 square meters.
The second phase of this project is expected to build more 200 housing units in Gahanga. The estate will consist of a nursery school, health center, supermarket and space dedicated for children’s leisure.
{{Project to build 1300 housing units in Ndera}}
The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) in collaboration with partners have designed a mega project to build a modern estate in Ndera with affordable housing units ranging from Rwf27 million and above.
The estate will be comprised of 13000 houses on 18.6 hectares. It is estimated to be completed at a cost of Rwf60 billion. Once completed, the estate is expected to address housing unit demand for employees with income ranging from Rwf261,000 to Rwf1.2 million per month.
Of the houses to be built, 80% will be affordable with a price ranging from Rwf27 million to Rwf35 million while 20% will be comprised of luxurious homes.
{{Isange Estate}}
Isange Estate is being developed by Imara Properties at Rebero Hill in Kigali City. The first phase of the project comprised of 14 housing units is expected to be completed in July this year to be followed by the second comprised of 16 units.
These units constructed in compliance with Kigali City master plan are environment friendly while most of construction materials are sourced locally.
Imara Properties was created with a vision to help Rwandans, particularly Kigali City dwellers to get modern homes.
The CEO and Co-founder of Imara Properties, David Benazeraf recently told IGIHE that increased clients’ demand encouraged them to carry on their activities with the second phase.
He said that the first phase will be completed in July while 93% of housing units have been sold.
The second phase of the project will be comprised of 12 apartments and six villas for main residence or rental investment.
It comprises of housing units of different designs featuring sleeping rooms, bathrooms, parking space, kitchen, garden and gym.
Clients can pay 90% of the total cost upfront and the balance later.
There are other options for payments in installments where interested buyers can pay 10%, 20% respectively in the first two months, 30% in the third and fourth month and the remaining 10% in the fifth month. One can also pay 30% upfront and 70% later. Each house has three to four rooms.
A person standing at Isange Estate at Rebero Hill gets a better view Kigali City. It is home to other infrastructures including Kigali Cultural Village.
‘Isange Estate’ was conceived by three Rwandans along with their colleagues from France and Belgium.
To meet the housing unit demand, Rwanda introduced incentives including the provision of infrastructures like roads, water and electricity, and a reduced corporate income tax of 15 per cent to facilitate investors.
The Government of Rwanda has also earmarked 1100 hectares for affordable housing units. So far, 1692 houses have been built in Kigali and secondary cities through six projects while 13 more projects expected to provide 9000 housing units are underway.
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