Independent presidential candidate Philippe Mpayimana has proposed reforms in the construction sector, including the development of apartment buildings to accommodate more families and protect agricultural land from the increasing pressure of housing needs.

This proposal is a key part of his manifesto as he campaigns to become President of Rwanda in the July 2024 elections.

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Mpayimana says this approach could increase the value of agricultural land compared to building plots. He addressed the current situation where building plots have become a speculative business.

Prioritising agriculture over construction

In a strict measure to protect agricultural land, Mpayimana proposes to suspend construction on remaining undeveloped land for five years to prioritize agriculture if elected.

During this period, people who buy plots or houses for demolition will be granted authorizations, but they will be encouraged to pool resources to build multi-floor buildings for co-ownership.

"We note that the trade in building plots is more flourishing than the trade in agricultural land or farms, ponds, forests,” he said, indicating that the demand for building plots shows a preference for construction over agriculture.

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Mpayimana argued that constructing houses does not preserve surrounding agricultural land but rather reduces it due to the horizontal expansion of residential compounds and cities. He advocates for embracing vertical construction, consisting of multi-floor buildings.

Contrary to current orders to build on plots to prevent state monopolisation, Mpayimana suggests that owners should avoid starting construction before gathering the necessary budget for a storey building. In the meantime, he requests that undeveloped land be cultivated to ensure the country and its cities remain green.

He encourages a construction model where one person can build a firm house with a strong foundation and a top that can serve as another plot for a family member or another person to build a housing unit.

Constructing Residential Storey Buildings under Social Housing

Mpayimana’s project aims to build at least one residential house with three floors in each village, where possible, per year, to accommodate at least 12 families under the housing at moderate rent (HLM) model. HLM, or social housing, provides housing for people with low or average income who struggle to find private housing, and it may be public or private with rent subsidies.

He emphasised that apartment social housing for low-income families should be a government responsibility. Tenants would pay rent based on their financial means, and effective implementation would require experienced property managers.

"All people need accommodation, but not everyone will be building their own house. Therefore, the first infrastructure is to build low-cost houses for the people that correspond to their financial means,” he said, adding that residents suggested such houses should not exceed five floors.

Regarding investment requirements, he mentioned that it would be a profitable investment for the government, as residents will pay based on their financial means. If these buildings are properly constructed to last for 100 years, the government would see a return on its investment.

Mpayimana is contesting the presidency against incumbent President Paul Kagame, the flag-bearer of the ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF Inkotanyi), and Frank Habineza, Chairperson of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR).

This is Mpayimana's second bid for the presidency after an unsuccessful attempt in 2017, where he received over 0.7 percent of the total votes in an election won by Kagame with more than 98 percent of the votes.