The Government of Rwanda, Africa50, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) have officially began construction on Kigali Innovation City (KIC), a landmark smart city project set to become "The Digital Heart of Africa" and drive billion-dollar enterprises across the continent.

Thursday, 11 September, 2024

On Wednesday 10th September, 2024, dignitaries, investors, corporate leaders, and project developers gathered to celebrated the launch of the 61-hectare smart city project. Designed to encourage digital-first ventures with high-growth potential, KIC is a vital addition to Rwanda’s Startup Act and aims to position the country as a global center for entrepreneurship, education, and business, attracting professionals from around the world.

KIC reinforces Rwanda’s reputation as an emerging digital hub focused on supporting digital entrepreneurs, businesses, students, and professionals moving to the country, thus advancing productivity in non-resource-dependent sectors. The development will host world-class universities, startup incubators, and accelerators in fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

The project is expected to generate $2 billion in economic value upon completion, $150 million annually in ICT exports, and attract over $300 million in foreign direct investment (FDI). KIC exemplifies how digital transformation can drive economic diversification and productivity, as seen across Sub-Saharan Africa, where the digital sector has outpaced manufacturing in GDP contribution in countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente highlighted Africa’s shift from technology consumption to production, calling this groundbreaking a pivotal moment in Rwanda’s journey toward becoming a leader in technology and innovation on the continent.

Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT & Innovation, reflected on the country’s longstanding commitment to technology, stating, “Over 24 years ago, Rwanda made the deliberate decision for technology to be front and center of everything we do and our policies were designed to drive that. These included public-private partnerships that attracted the right global partners to deliver on large-scale infrastructure projects, attracting top talent-building institutions, and setting Rwanda up as a proof-of-concept innovation hub where solutions to regional and global challenges are developed. The KIC is a continuation of this journey.” 

During a fireside chat titled "Catalyzing Innovation: Building a pan-African technology hub," Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobissé praised Rwanda’s vision and progressive policies, which foster a secure environment for businesses and attract investment. He emphasized that KIC’s long-term vision and effective execution de-risk investments and attract private funding, creating a platform for universities to develop exceptional talent and groundbreaking technologies.

As one of Africa’s largest smart city projects, KIC aims to become a breeding ground for major tech companies. Dr. Conrad Tucker of Carnegie Mellon University-Africa highlighted the vision to create Africa’s first trillion-dollar enterprise within KIC.

The KIC project, a public-private partnership (PPP) with Africa50, Rwanda Development Board, and BADEA as stakeholders, underscores a unified commitment to bridging Africa's digital divide and expediting the continent’s digital transformation.

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