The land use Bill does not segregate against foreigners on freehold title, nor does it put off foreign investments, MP Adolphe Bazatoha has said. Bazatoha, the chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Environment, on Tuesday said if foreigners are given land nothing would stop them from investing on it. “For land given in a Special Economic Zone, one can obtain a freehold title. There isn’t any kind of segregation or intent to drive foreigners away,” he said. Bazatoha was responding to questions on Land Use Bill after the Chamber of Deputies approved it. Article six of the Bill states that for non-Rwandans, freehold title can only be granted if at least 50 per cent of its stake is owned by Rwandan citizens, except for land designated as Special Economic Zone. Some lawmakers feared this clause would deter foreign investments. “We know that, in most cases, investors who come want land. Putting these conditions on land sounds like putting up a barrier to potential investors,” MP Emmanuel Gatera said. Bazatoha said foreigners cannot be granted freehold title to land unless there is a reciprocity arrangement with their countries of origin. The Bill states that such land cannot exceed five hectares, but the minister in charge of land, basing on a reasonable case by the applicant, may authorise freehold rights on a larger area. The Minister for Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi, agred with Bazatoha. “We consider the type of investment required. However, we can examine this and decide on what is really appropriate,” he said. Lawmakers approved the Bill, which has 77 revised articles, but continue to examine it.
