The project, led by award-winning architecture studio NLÉ in partnership with Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors and founder of Giants of Africa, is scheduled for a grand opening next month.
Originally built in the 20th century as government housing, the building's historical significance is deeply intertwined with Rwanda's past.
Situated in Remera and adjacent to the recently renovated state-of-the-art Amahoro Stadium, it once served as the temporary United Nations headquarters during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, providing refuge in one of the country's darkest chapters. More recently, it housed the Rwandan Health Authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, further embedding it in the nation's collective memory.
Now reimagined by NLÉ, a firm founded by Nigerian architect Kunlé Adeyemi and co-led by Berend Strijland, Zaria Court has been transformed from a dormant modernist relic into a thriving centre for sports, hospitality, culture, and entrepreneurship.
'What excited me about Zaria Court was the opportunity to transform a historic site into a vibrant catalyst within Rwanda's emerging sports ecosystem,' said Adeyemi, known for the Floating Music Hub in Cape Verde.
'Through this development partnership, we demonstrate how architecture can positively impact communities and provide a replicable model of innovative infrastructure, empowering African youth and accelerating sustainable urban development.'
The newly activated Zaria Court offers a diverse range of facilities designed to meet the needs of Kigali's youth and the wider community. At its heart is a multifunctional event court that hosts sports, music, fashion, and cultural programs, providing a vibrant space for various activities.
The site also includes an 80-room hotel, equipped with a gym, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, a conference hall, a swimming pool, and a rooftop bar, blending comfort with versatility.
Outdoors, visitors can enjoy five-a-side soccer pitches, a dedicated callisthenics training area, and a children's play zone surrounded by lush native landscaping and open green spaces that encourage safe and informal social interaction.
Adding to its innovative spirit, Zaria Court features a modular retail park constructed from stacked shipping containers, creating affordable commercial spaces for Kigali's emerging designers, food vendors, and entrepreneurs.
The construction of Zaria Court began in August 2023, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony presided over by President Paul Kagame and Masai Ujiri.
With its completion, it now stands not only as a model of adaptive reuse architecture but also as a powerful symbol of urban regeneration and youth empowerment. As the first development of its kind in Rwanda, Zaria Court embodies a forward-looking vision for community-focused infrastructure across Africa.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
