Kigali, 29^th March 2017- In March 2017, the Ministry of Infrastructure in collaboration with Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) conducted an awareness and information campaign under the theme “The future is Urban” to disseminate the National Urbanization Policy countrywide.

The policy had been adopted by the Government of Rwanda in December 2015 as an instrument to address good urban development that enhances local and national economic growth and guarantees a good quality of life for all.

The overall objective of the NUP dissemination was to ensure awareness and ownership of the National Urbanization Policy. In this regard, TV, radios and print media were engaged in delivering key messages.

The campaign, being conducted in all 30 Districts and the City of Kigali, brought together districts officials, One Stop Center staff, development partners, the private sector and citizen representatives in a bid to ensure that the participants understand the potential of developing and implementing sustainable green city development policies and strategies, which requires collaboration across all development sectors and a shared understanding.

The policy is organized with the help of four Policy Pillars: Coordination, Densification, Conviviality and Economic Growth. Participants were given an opportunity to discuss ways of Policy implementation and economic opportunities proper to each District.

The closing function took place on 29^th March 2017 and brought together participants from the City of Kigali, Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge Districts and other stakeholders involved in urbanization services.

In his closing address, the Minister of State in charge of Socio-Economic Development in MINALOC, Honorable Vincent MUNYESHYAKA, urged local leaders in the City of Kigali to own the National Urbanization Policy, effectively implement the Kigali Masterplan and manage development in a way which reduces informal settlement development and related negative consequences.

He further commended both public and private sector to combine efforts in promoting sustainable urban development in accordance with the National Urbanization Policy mission as an engine for economic development and livable human settlement. 

According to surveys undertaken by the National Institute of Statistics and the definition applied, the urbanization rate in Rwanda stands at around 17.3% and almost half of it is concentrated in City of Kigali. The Government of Rwanda has an ambitious objective of well managing accelerating urbanization and get prepared to accommodate and service an urban population of as much as 35 % of the total population by 2020. The human settlement framework as exproseeed by the  EDPRS II therefore prioritises support to the  development of  Secondary Cities - Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare - to concentrate urban development in growth poles well distributed across the area of the country, for country-wide benefits of socio-economic development and the transformative opportunities going along with it.

Implementation of this important policy is well underway and it is of the highest importance to integrate even more stakeholders including residents in the implementation process because every sector and every resident is concerned in some way. The continued need for consultation, collaboration and self-evaluation of the current status was an aspect expressed by many of the contributors to the vibrant and well moderated discussion.