Kigali Innovation City (KIC) is a mixed-use master-planned innovation city being developed in Kigali, Rwanda, in accordance with Rwanda’s National Transformation Strategy (NST1) and Vision 2050.
The project aims to attract technology companies to Rwanda, develop pan-African talent and serve as a hub for technology innovation.
A specific project company and procurement entity, Kigali Innovation City Company Limited (KICCL), was established to manage the development and implementation of the $300 million project.
The joint venture is owned by Africa50, an African infrastructure investment bank, and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a government agency.
In December 2021, the project partners together with Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation announced the KIC project’s urban master plan.
In May 2024, Africa50 entered into an Implementation Agreement (IA) with RDB and the Government of Rwanda (GoR), granting it exclusive rights to develop, operate and commercialize KIC.
The official groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be held in September 2024, marking the beginning of construction on the smart city development.
The project is expected to create more than 50,000 jobs and produce more than 2,600 students each year, contributing to the development of tech-savvy entrepreneurs in Rwanda and across Africa.
Once completed, the project will have a value of $2 billion and is expected to generate $150 million in ICT exports annually.
Kigali Innovation City Master Plan Details
KIC spans a total area of 61 hectares (151 acres) owned by the GoR within the Kigali Special Economic Zone.
KICCL is responsible for developing the assets and commercializing the project by leasing the land to external developers for further development under the KIC Master Plan. GoR provided KICCL with the necessary shared infrastructure.
The phased implementation of the master plan is strategically designed to align with project goals and demand forecasts. The initial stage of master plan development will primarily focus on the construction of horizontal infrastructure such as roads, drainage systems, street lighting, and sidewalks.
The project also includes the development of a digital innovation district to accommodate technology companies, while another section of the district will provide housing facilities for employees working within KIC companies.
Kigali Innovation City details
The KIC mixed-use project includes dedicated space for four universities, grade A offices, research and development facilities, a start-up business incubator, retail, hospitality and accommodation, all surrounded by open green space.
Initially, the project will include the development of a mixed-use first building and visitor center. The first building will be constructed on a 4,347 square meter (46,791 square foot) site within a 6,036 square meter area. It will feature grade A office space and serve as a startup incubator along with retail space across six floors.
KIC currently has two universities: Carnegie Mellon University Africa and African Leadership University, and is also developing the University of Rwanda Biomedical Engineering Center and E-Health. The project also includes the campus of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences.
Cooper Pharma, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, has also been established on the premises.
Kigali Innovation City funding details
Africa50 and RDB are co-sponsors of KIC, and GoR is committed to providing shared infrastructure and incentives to support the growth of the ecosystem.
The project is supported by the Arab Bank for African Economic Development (BADEA), which invested $20 million to strengthen basic infrastructure development in KIC.
The feasibility study for this project was funded through a grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the U.S. government’s project preparation agency.
KIC’s sustainability features
KIC’s master plan integrates smart facilities management solutions and green principles into transportation, building design, construction, and management.
The project will incorporate green and sustainable design guidelines, a sewage treatment plant, and green space to reduce air pollution and excessive heating.
Contractors involved
Africa50 has appointed US-based real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) as the lead delivery partner for the project. JLL provides comprehensive project management and cost management services that cover the entire project cycle, including contractor procurement, design management, project and budget monitoring, and site supervision.
NXTKey, an IT service management company, is the technology partner for the KIC project. Engineering consultant SMEC has been appointed as Engineer of Record Advisor for KIC’s first and second phase infrastructure works. SMEC, along with its sister company Surbana Jurong, worked with RDB and KICCL to prepare KIC’s master plan and land use plan, as well as the conceptual design of the infrastructure.
