Kigali Innovation City (KIC) is a mixed-use master-planned innovation city being developed in Kigali, Rwanda, in accordance with Rwanda鈥檚 National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) and Vision 2050.
The project aims to cultivate pan-African talent and serve as a technology innovation hub by attracting technology companies to Rwanda.
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Kigali Innovation City Company Limited (KICCL), a specific project company and procuring entity, was established to manage the development and implementation of the $300m project.
The joint venture company is owned by Africa50, an investment bank for infrastructure in Africa, and governmental entity Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
In December 2021, the project partners, along with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda, unveiled the urban master plan for the KIC project.
In May 2024, an implementation agreement (IA) was signed by Africa50 with RDB and the Government of Rwanda (GoR), granting exclusive rights to develop, operate and commercialise KIC.
The official ground-breaking of the project was held in September 2024, marking the beginning of construction on the smart city development.
The project is anticipated to create more than 50,000 jobs and produce more than 2,600 students each year, contributing to the pool of tech-savvy entrepreneurs in Rwanda and across Africa.
Upon completion, the project is expected to reach a value of $2bn and generate $150m in annual ICT exports.
Kigali Innovation City master plan details
KIC will span a total area of 61ha (151 acres) owned by the GoR within Kigali鈥檚 Special Economic Zone.
KICCL is responsible for commercialising the project by developing assets and leasing land to external developers for further development, under the KIC master plan. The GoR provided the necessary shared infrastructure to KICCL.
The phased implementation of the master plan is strategically designed to align with the project鈥檚 objectives and demand forecast. The initial phase of the master plan development will primarily focus on the construction of horizontal infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, street lighting and walkways.
The project also includes the development of the Digital Innovation Precinct that will cater to technology companies while another section of the precinct will provide residential facilities for employees working within the KIC companies.
Kigali Innovation City details
The KIC mixed-use project will feature four universities, Grade A offices, research and development facilities, start-up business incubators and dedicated spaces for retail, hospitality and accommodation, all surrounded by open green spaces.
Initially, the project will include the development of a mixed-use first building and a visitor centre. The first building will be situated on a 4,347m虏 (46,791ft虏) plot within a 6,036m虏 area. It will feature Grade A office space and serve as an incubator for startups, along with retail spaces spanning six floors.
KIC is currently home to two universities, Carnegie Mellon University Africa and the Africa Leadership University, with the University of Rwanda Centre of Biomedical Engineering and E-health under development. The project will also include an African Institute of Mathematical Science campus.
In addition, pharmaceutical manufacturer Cooper Pharma is already established within the premises.
Financing details of Kigali Innovation City
Africa50 and RDB are co-sponsoring KIC while GoR has committed to providing shared infrastructure and offering incentives to support the growth of the ecosystem.
The project has received backing from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), which invested $20m to bolster the development of basic infrastructure at KIC.
The feasibility study for the project was financed through a grant from the US Trade and Development Agency, the project preparation agency of the US government.
Sustainability features of KIC
KIC鈥檚 master plan integrates smart facility management solutions and green principles into its transportation, building design, construction and management.
The project will incorporate green and sustainable design guidelines, a wastewater treatment plant and green spaces to mitigate atmospheric damage and excessive heating.
Contractors involved
Africa50 appointed Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a real estate services company based in the US, as the lead delivery partner for the project. JLL provides comprehensive project management and cost management services, covering the entire project cycle, including procurement of contractors, 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 was appointed as the Engineer of Record adviser for KIC鈥檚 Phase I and II infrastructure works. Together with its sister company Surbana Jurong, SMEC worked with the RDB and KICCL to prepare the KIC master and land use plans, as well as infrastructure concept design.