Kigali, 03 June 2019: Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Claver Gatete has launched the construction of 3,000 affordable housing units in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District.

The function attracted different participants and stakeholders in the project including the Chief Executive Officer of Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), the Managing Directors of Shelter Afrique, Remote Group and Rugarama Park Estate, the Ambassador of United States of America to Rwanda, the Director General of Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), Representatives of City of Kigali and Nyarugenge District among others.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Claver Gatete said that the Government of Rwanda established Rwanda Affordable Housing Fund to promote affordable housing policy to fill the gap in the housing needs through public-private-partnership model.

“According to Housing needs in City of Kigali, findings and policy reflections by the International Growth Centre (IGC), estimate that at least 310,000 housing units are required from 2017 to 2032” Minister Gatete mentioned.

This project will be constructed with environmentally friendly building materials called Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC), the first technology in Sub Saharan Region and have public parks, community buildings, shops and a market place.

Minister Claver Gatete said that with the modern construction technologies “construction is becoming affordable and we hope the trend will continue going forward”.

He further indicated that affordable housing policy will ensure access to formal housing for an average Rwandan income and this will lead to 35% of urbanization rate targeted by 2024.

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 RwF 900,000 and they must be first-time homeowners.

According to the developers, the construction costs are minimized as much as possible in order to keep selling prices down and ensure that the homes provide the first step in housing ladder to Rwandans who will reside in the modern and ecofriendly estate.

The project will be undertaken by two developers: Remote Group and Girinzu Ltd. Remote Group will develop 30 hectares and is expected to deliver about 2,200 units while Girinzu will develop 12 hectares and will deliver about 800 units. The entire project is estimated to cost over $80 million and will easily accommodate more than 12,000 residents. The project will provide jobs to hundreds of people during construction and various opportunities after construction due to the traffic in the area.

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 masterplan and the affordable housing program under the National Housing Policy.