The construction works for the Kigali Convention Complex is set to begin next month. This was revealed by, Ultimate Concepts, the company responsible for the project.

"We have just signed a contract with the Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) which is among the top 10 in China and within three weeks from now, works will have begun at the site,” Leopold Mukama, the Managing Director of Ultimate Concepts Ltd said.

He revealed that the total construction cost is $226 million (Rwf128 billion). $197 million (Rwf111.9 billion) have been signed to BCEG and the remaining $29 million (Rwf16.5 billion) will be used to furnish the hotel and purchase other materials for finishing touches.

He also confirmed that the convention centre will be complete in a period of 32 months. Major components of the centre include a five star hotel with 292 rooms, a conference centre with a capacity of 2500 and office space. 

"It will also have an amazing one-stop experience centre or electronic museum, the first of its kind in Rwanda. It is set to cover 28,000 square meters a will be a place where people from outside Rwanda will be able to find all the information and components that show our country’s history,” he added.

In relation to funding, 40 percent of the project is contributed by Ultimate Concepts’ equity which is raised by the public and private partners in the company while the 60 percent will be raised as external loans from regional and international banks, however negotiations with the banks are still going on.

Mukama also rejected fears that the current global financial crisis could affect quick implementation of the state-of-the-art complex. He instead emphasised that the crisis has significantly lowered prices of the necessary construction materials so works will be complete in time.

The project planning was done in three phases by the German Spacial Solutions company.

"Once completed the centre will boost our economy and contribute highly to job creation thus provision of employment opportunities,” he said.

Since its establishment in 1953, the Chinese construction company, BCEG, has steadily moved to the top 225 international contractors in the world. It is famous for the construction of China’s biggest terminal and the 60,000 seater - Tanzanian national stadium.

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