Rwanda infrastructure sector

Infrastructure is at the heart of development of any economy and nation, without roads no agricultural produce can be exported, without water supply no healthy development is facilitated and without appropriate housing conditions and building standards, construction can become a hazard.

To improve productivity, stimulate social and economic growth, and to transform Rwanda into a middle income country by 2020, The Ministry of Infrastructure aims to enhance quality, sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure facilities in the country.

Transport and roads development
Transport infrastructure in Rwanda so far comprises mainly of roads, to move passengers and cargo, with a network of 14,000 km. Rwanda has one international airport in Kigali and six aerodromes across the country. Water transport is mainly limited to Lake Kivu. The transport sector also provides transport services to the public and private sectors, through state-owned company ONATRACOM, which links remote areas to provincial towns and the capital city. Roads and airports need rehabilitation and maintenance for long-term sustainability and the Ministry of Infrastructure puts strong emphasis on modernising these services and improving efficiency.

A national transport policy has been developed and is now being implemented. The Rwanda Transport Development Agency has recently been established for this purpose and its vision shows the commitment of the Government to transport infrastructure development. The Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority is also taking a prominent role, ensuring airspace management and surveillance, and providing maximum security through standardisation of facilities and services. 

One of the major projects for the coming five years is the construction of Bugesera International Airport, which is expected to play a vital role in developing a service based economy and linking the Great Lakes region to the world. A second major initiative is the construction of a railway line from Tanzania to Kigali and Musongati.

Habitat and urban planning
Rwanda aims at achieving at least 40% of its population settled in well planned urban areas. Currently much of the remaining population in rural areas live in planned grouped settlements known locally as ‘‘Imidugudu’’. Therefore urban planning and provision of housing will be crucial in the economic development process.  Rwanda Housing Authority was established, with mandate, to manage all aspects of building and construction in Rwanda and to enforce and implement the regulations, Code of Urbanism and construction, and other related laws and policies.

As the construction industry in Rwanda is growing fast, masterplans are under development for most of the emerging peri-urban settlements in Rwanda, in order to improve land management, encourage trade and industry, attract tourism, and curb informal settlements. From 1995 until 2010, more than 300,000 houses have been built, mainly in the framework of reinstallation programs in the centres of grouped villages. This is creating a more secure environment for investors.

Water and sanitation
Access to clean water and hygienic sanitation facilities has been identified as a key component in the continuing growth and social development of Rwanda. The purpose of the Water and Sanitation sector is to ensure sustainable access for all to safe water and sanitation facilities.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, the national water utility and the Districts with the support of development partners, have several important projects underway including research into new sources of water and education programmes promoting better hygienic practices. Rwanda is well on the way to achieving 100% coverage for water and sanitation by 2015. A lot of effort is applied to shorten the completion time for descent latrines by 2012.

The sub unit has ensured a steady supply of clean water to other amenities such as hospitals, school, hotels and dairies. The Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) is mainly supplying water in urban areas while the supply of water in rural areas is done through cooperatives and small and medium enterprises that manage 30% of the 800 water supplying systems in the country.

Conclusion
The Government of Rwanda acknowledges the importance of Infrastructure Development as a pre-requisite for the growth of all sectors of the economy and is putting efforts and resources towards achieving the ambitious objectives in all the sub-sectors as presented. It is working in close cooperation with its development partners as well as the private sector to leverage funding and build required capacity and skills.