Musanze, 6th September, 2016-Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) launches a new system to manage building permits in secondary cities, a step to harmonize the issuance of building permits across the country and to facilitate citizens to obtain such document.

The launched Building Permitting Management Information System (BPMIS) was done in collaboration with the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) in an effort to improve service delivery and better manage urbanization processes in the six Secondary Cities. The cooperation with IFC is through the Investment Climate Reform Program in Rwanda. The Secondary Cities are Musanze in the Northern Province, Rubavu and Rusizi in the Western Province, Muhanga and Huye in the Southern Province, and Nyagatare in the Eastern Province.

The system is designed to allow applicants to submit permit requests online, to shorten the time required for District One Stop Centres to assess and take a decision. It further helps manage and monitor building inspection.

The new system supports a transparent and well-managed building permitting process based on the legal framework laying out building permitting, and it helps better managing and monitoring data across district offices.  Also the applicant will be able to easily track the progress of their applications online, and may be notified through SMS and email.

The objective of the project is to avail such online building permitting system to serve all Districts, which had been spearheaded by the City of Kigali about 2 years ago. Kigali’s system will undergo upgrades to include additional features such as reporting and inspection.

The online permitting is also expected to attract investors in the construction industry and boost their trust and confidence in services delivered by the permitting and inspection entities because of ensured accountability. Rwanda may improve its ranking in World Bank Doing Business Report.

Easier access to a building permit will further help reducing informal development, and achieving sustainable growth.