Even the most indifferent person cannot fail to notice the vigorous construction activity going on around Kigali and other parts of the country.

The raging infrastructural activities in Rwanda can be analyzed from many angles. Some constructions are multibillion storied buildings that are packaged for multiple businesses such as shopping arcades, supermarkets and offices such as the Convention Center in Kimihurura.

On the other side there is a reality of multiple small scale commercial buildings which are mushrooming in different places of Kigali. These are targeting middle income business activities.

All this construction business holds the promise of endless economic output for both the owners and the Rwandan economy at large.

Economic benefits include taxes levied on the both the buildings and the construction materials by the government, creation of jobs in the construction firms, creation of demand for construction materials, among others.

The emergency of infrastructures like these buildings also works as a catalyst for the accomplishment of the governments strategies of developing the private sector and encouraging investment. When such structures are in place both local and foreign investors get a soft landing when initiating economic ventures.

The Hotel industry which is also rapidly expanding has given the city a new skyline. This also attracts foreign visitors and tourists who fall in love with the hospitality hence making long term engagements in Rwanda which pay off. 

There is also another class of infrastructures rapidly increasing and these are residential houses and schools. These have surely painted the places they have been erected due to the quality of materials used and the ambiance punctuated around them.

It would be a disaster if the mushrooming construction business went unmonitored. Government is very clear on its vision even as far as construction is concerned. This is to prevent slums and other disasters.

The Ministry of Infrastructure issued a statement saying it has finally established construction standards to guide and regulate the construction sector.

The guidelines are among others on durability of materials to be used and professionalism of the constructors. This is also aimed at curbing duping of the construction fraternity by uncouth people.

Other profiles to be regulated include electricity installation, in that they will only be installed as required by the codes and standards as a preventive precaution for fire out breaks. Switchboards shall be easily accessible and placed adjacent to the consumer control unit.

During a previous interview with the Minister of Infrastructure Linda Bihire, she underscored the need for immediate consideration of the new construction standards and safety measures to ensure that people have some security measures packaged in the constructions.

Also involved in the codes and standards document is the provision for people with disabilities. These shall include patterns to enable easy accessibility of the structures by these people, inclusive of those confined in wheelchairs.

All the infrastructures emerging in and around Kigali are in a certain way complementing each other. For instance the constructions of chorus roads connecting to major centers or towns have fueled residential and commercial constructions in and around those places.

Though there are still some challenges people faces while constructing, for instance the unbearable bureaucracy involved in accessing documents which are got from many points, people seem undeterred.

Another challenge is access to some of the raw materials. Most seem to be imported from neighboring countries. For instance cement is got from Uganda and Kenya. What one can conclude with all this construction taking place is that there is confidence in the country.

Rwandans in the Diaspora are confident enough to invest back home. Security and a steady growth in the economy should also be some of the other major factors contributing to the construction boom. Hopefully, in just a few years, the Heart of Africa will be throbbing with even more vitality.

Ends