Kigali City Development Situation Assessment, 2018-2024: An Assessment of Measurable Indicators of Socio-Economic Development Performance, Sectoral Efficiency, Infrastructure Quality and Improvement Requirements, Policy Impacts, Resident Experiences and Perceptions

Abstract

Kigali City, the vibrant capital of Rwanda, has embarked on an ambitious journey to transform itself into a model of sustainable urbanization and socio-economic development under the Kigali City Integrated Development Strategy (2018-2024). While aligning with the next NST2, SSPs, this report represents a comprehensive roadmap aiming at fostering city economic growth, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring environmental sustainability. By aligning with national, regional and global development agendas, the report outlines key initiatives and strategic interventions across multiple sectors, with a focus on inclusivity and innovation in various development areas to consider for the next City Development Strategy. The development of CDS Process employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative analysis was to assess measurable indicators of socio-economic performance, sectoral efficiency, and infrastructure quality and improvement requirement. Qualitative methods, including interviews and focus groups, provided deeper insights into policy impacts and resident experiences and perceptions. This paper recommends the development of City Development Strategy Process that employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data with measurable indicators of socio-economic performance, sectoral efficiency, and infrastructure quality and improvement requirement. The report focused on assessing the CoK development pillars: Economic Transformation Pillar, Social Transformation Pillar Transformational Governance Pillar, Alignment with Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Other Sector Strategies as well as Cross Cutting Areas (CCAs). The same, this report recommend deeper insights into policy impacts and resident experiences and perceptions. Main references of this report in Desk research included City of Kigali Integrated Development Strategy Assessment Report (2018-2024), AfDB & CoK: Kigali City Action Plan (2024-2039), Fifth Population and Housing Census, Rwanda among others. Since July 2018, the City District Development Strategy 2018-2024 has guided the City of Kigali and its Districts in implementing key priorities and action plans. The City of Kigali (CoK) is now a decentralized entity with administrative and financial autonomy, as per law n˚22/2019 of 29/07/2019. The previously autonomous Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge Districts were administratively reformed and unified under one entity of the City of Kigali during the NST1 period. The report recommended that the CoK must position itself to better address issues facing major urban areas in emerging economies, such as informal settlements, slum dwellings, traffic congestion, and employment challenges. This report informs the new City Development Strategy (2024-2029) to emphasize a strategic and integrated approach to anticipating, managing, and resolving these issues. To do so, the strategy needs to align with various national and international policies to guide Kigali’s development and progress over the next 5 years (2024 to 2029). Finally the report recommends strengthening the achievements of IDS (2018-2024) aligning with 15 Year Kigali City Action Plan and nine (9) key interventions areas were identified to inform the next CDS (2024-2029): urban agriculture and food security, diversification of cultural centers, promotion of hospitality services and ecotourism, inclusive and green urbanization, economic growth and key sectors, ICT adoption and smart city initiatives, social services: education, health, and community well-being, environmental sustainability and climate resilience, governance and stakeholder engagement.