Green Climate Fund (GCF), the world's largest climate fund to accelerate transformative climate action in developing countries, has approved $28 million (approximately Rwf38 billion) grant funding to support the Green City Kigali initiative. ALSO READ: UK firm to develop Kigali green city master plan The funding announced in South Korea during the 40th Board Meeting of the GCF follows the completion of Green City Master Plan waiting for implementation on some 600 hectares in the Kinyinya suburb of Gasabo District, in Kigali. This project will serve as a model for sustainable urbanization, showcasing climate-resilient, and low-emission infrastructure development. In Rwanda’s rapidly urbanizing capital, Kigali, nearly 77.3% of the population resides in unplanned settlements, making the city highly vulnerable to climate-related risks such as floods and landslides. The Green City Kigali Project, implemented by Rwanda Green Fund, addresses the challenges by focusing on the upgrading of informal settlements with innovative, sustainable and climate resilient solutions. ALSO READ: City to turn ex-Deutsche Welle space into a forest eco-park This agreement underscores the strength of our partnership at a critical time when the effects of climate change are increasingly evident. These impacts not only threaten the country's economy but also pose serious risks to the lives of our people. The Green City Kigali Project represents a proactive step towards creating a sustainable and resilient urban environment, aiming to mitigate these challenges and promote a better quality of life for all Rwandans” said Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment. The funding from GCF will support green infrastructure investments including resilient infrastructure for stormwater management, water security, renewable energy, and improved waste management in Ngaruyinka Village. It will also support capacity building and skill development through the establishment of a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) center to develop green construction skills and green livelihoods. ALSO READ: Govt to pilot green model city project in Kinyinya Replicating best practices across Rwanda through training programmes for professionals in green construction and city development is also part of the project. “This project not only represents a new model for urban development in Rwanda but has the potential to provide a template for other cities in Africa and around the world to plan resilient and sustainable urban development for a changing climate. GCF will look to replicate this approach in other countries drawing on the lessons from Kigali,” said Henry Gonzalez, the Chief Investment Officer of the Green Climate Fund. The project will be implemented over the next five years, positioning Kigali as a model of sustainable, climate-resilient urban development for the region. Teddy Mugabo, the CEO Rwanda Green Fund, said GCF board’s decision to support this project is a significant boost to Rwanda’s vision for sustainable urban development. “By integrating green technologies and improving settlements in a challenging environment, this initiative complements the broader Green City Kigali program, addressing climate challenges and promoting long-term resilience,” she said. ALSO READ: Kigali Green City Project receives Rwf 10B investment Rwanda Green Fund is the country’s financing vehicle designed to attract climate finance. 30,000 housing units expected The Kigali Green City project will feature climate-resilient housing units built with locally sourced materials and provide at least 40 per cent affordable housing through innovative typologies. The development of Kigali Green City will begin with a pilot phase covering 16 hectares, expected to be launched in 2025 and completed by 2030. This phase will have at least 2,000 housing units and other amenities. Over 30,000 housing units are expected once the project is fully implemented. Residential typologies include incremental housing and high-end villas. For these houses and other amenities to be built under the project, the aim is to use local materials to promote local production as well as create jobs. The project will involve constructing buildings that maximize passive design - with optimized window areas, that are well shaded, naturally ventilated and do not require air conditioning, complying with the EDGE green building standards, which reduce energy demands by 40 per cent. The construction will also minimize embodied carbon in construction by constructing lean buildings with locally sourced, natural, minimally processed materials. The Green City Project's 600 hectares are divided into 18 neighbourhoods, each with a school and recreational areas. Community spaces, or open spaces, and recreational spaces for health and wellbeing were also considered. As part of implementing the proposed Green City Master Plan, the City of Kigali has announced plans to create Kinyinya ‘Forest Eco-park’ on the former Deutsche Welle Radio site.
