Rwanda starts construction of Kigali Innovation City as Kenya’s Konza dream lags

The Government of Rwanda, Africa50, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), have officially broken ground on the construction of the Kigali Innovation City (KIC), a pioneering smart city project.

Rwanda expects KIC to bring a value of $2 billion to digital sector, generate $150 million in ICT exports annually and attract over $300 million in foreign direct investment (FDI).

According to R.H. Édouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of Rwanda, the KIC “critical moment in Rwanda’s journey to becoming a leader in pioneering technology and innovation on the continent.” Konza which has been expected to be a world-class smartcity, powered by a thriving and progressive ICT sector has seen $800 million invested for critical infrastructure like water, fiber internet, roads and administrative center but nothing major has come out of it safe for a few administrative blocks, global partnerships and investments and paid media coverage.

Announced in 2008, Kenya’s Konza Technopolis is yet to kick off, safe for one or two complete buildings and substantial amounts of money from the national treasury and other global investors. Located 60 kilometers from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, Konza Technopolis sits on 2000 hectare and is expected to be home to leading companies in education, life sciences, telecom, and BPO/ITES. Land which is leased at $62,000 per acre for a 99 year lease is also open for diverse residential neighborhoods, hotels, a variety of retail offerings, community facilities, and other public amenities.

Rwanda expects KIC to strengthen its global standing as an emerging digital hub dedicated to fostering the growth of digital entrepreneurs, businesses, students, and professionals who are relocating to the country, thereby enhancing productivity in industries that are not reliant on natural resources. The facility will accommodate top-tier universities, world-class universities, startup incubators, and accelerators across disruptive and data-backed sectors, such as robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more.

In his remarks, Francis Gatare, CEO of Rwanda Development Board said: “This project reflects a collective ambition of all our people to transform our country so that innovation, education, and technology can truly become a cornerstone for Rwanda’s future.

The new project will be one of the largest smart cities in Africa and will develop Africa’s first trillion-dollar business. KIC, a public-private partnership (PPP) with Africa50 and Rwanda Development Board as sponsors and shareholders; and BADEA as lender, reflects the collaboration of international and local partners taking action to close Africa’s digital divide and accelerate the continent’s  digitalization.  

Hon Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister for ICT and Innovation, advocated for developing products and industries at KIC that will be deployed worldwide, cementing Rwanda and Africa’s position as enabling environments that stimulate trade and contribute to a thriving global digital economy.