The funding, approved on June 25, aims to deliver greener, safer, and more inclusive transport solutions to support the capital city's shift toward a climate-resilient and people-centred mobility network.
The RUMI project will address challenges in Kigali's public transportation, including overcrowded services, traffic congestion, inadequate pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and safety concerns.
Key interventions include the development of a modern multimodal transit hub in Nyabugogo, the introduction of dedicated bus lanes, expansion of sidewalks and cycle paths, and the deployment of electric buses and charging stations.
'This project will unlock access to jobs and services, particularly for women and youth, and support Kigali's ambition to become a public transportâ€"oriented and climate-smart city,' said Sahr Kpundeh, World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda.
Currently, only about one-third of Kigali's jobs are accessible within an hour via public transport, according to the World Bank. The RUMI project is expected to significantly improve the figure by enhancing connectivity across key transport corridors. The Nyabugogo transit hub alone is projected to serve up to 180,000 passengers daily by 2030, becoming a major hub for both local and regional mobility, commerce, and job creation.
According to Akiko Kishiue, World Bank Senior Urban Transport Specialist for Rwanda, the project 'lays the foundation for a modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly urban transport system' that will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
A central focus of the project is gender inclusion. With women making up just 4.2% of the country's transport workforce, RUMI seeks to expand opportunities for women in transport planning, construction, operations, and entrepreneurship, particularly at the Nyabugogo hub.
In addition, the project incorporates climate resilience measures, such as flood mitigation systems at flood-prone transit points and the promotion of electric mobility to reduce urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative is co-financed by the European Union and the European Investment Bank. Its implementation will be led by the City of Kigali in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Transport Development Agency, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority, Rwanda National Police, and the University of Rwanda.
The RUMI project is aligned with Rwanda's Vision 2050, the National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2), and the Kigali City Master Plan, which aims to ensure that 80% of Kigali's population lives within a 10-minute walk of a public transport facility by 2030.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
