The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by various government officials, including the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire Musoni, Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore and the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Dr. Francis Gatare.
This project will be implemented by the Government of Rwanda through RDB in partnership with Africa50, an investment platform for infrastructure projects that generate benefits across Africa.
Covering 61 hectares, the project is expected to cost around $2 billion and will include buildings that will host international universities, technology companies, commercial facilities, and more.
The city will feature a large center with bases focusing on Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity. Some buildings in Kigali Innovation City will have solar-powered roofs, and the vehicles used within the area will predominantly be electric, contributing to environmental sustainability.
The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire Musoni, mentioned that the idea for this project has been in development for over 10 years. It was conceived to create a hub for various sectors, including education and technology. She stated that in the next 10 years, Rwanda expects this project to be a reality and play a significant role in technological development.
The buildings in this city will have unique construction designs, with some adorned with special Rwanda traditional decorative features. Kigali Innovation City will also feature wide roads, coffee shops, and restaurants with outdoor seating. Additionally, it will include high-end buildings for international tech companies, hotels, modern student accommodations, and residential areas.
Currently, some parts of the project are already under construction, including the African Leadership University and Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
Dr. Francis Gatare, CEO of RDB, highlighted that this is a major milestone for Rwanda in its quest to establish a knowledge-based and technology-driven economy.
"We are here to celebrate this achievement for our nation, its leadership, and the people of Rwanda, who are committed to building a knowledge-based economy that fosters innovation and sustainable development," he said.
"Kigali Innovation City is one of Rwanda's flagship projects and serves as a cornerstone of our strategy to develop a knowledge-based economy. This project reflects the power of collaboration between our people and leadership to transform our country and make innovation, education, and technology the foundation of our future," he explained.
Once fully completed, the project is expected to generate $150 million annually from the technology developed there and attract $300 million in foreign investment.
Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente noted that this project will benefit not only Rwanda but also other Africans.
"We are laying the foundation for a bright future where every African can benefit from cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Kigali Innovation City is more than just infrastructure; it is a convergence that will drive innovation, attract talent, and bring investment from around the world."
He urged both local and international investors to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Kigali Innovation City. This groundbreaking ceremony comes just days after the Government of Rwanda signed an agreement with Africa50, a platform that invests in infrastructure projects that benefit the African continent.
IGIHE
