Two green projects of Ultimate Developers Ltd (UDL), a subsidiary of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), were awarded by International Property Awards for sustainable development at the African level and are set to compete on the global stage next year.
The awards were given by International Property Awards, which is based in the UK and is the world's most renowned programme of awards for all aspects of the property industry globally.
Ultimate Developers Ltd (UDL) was started in 2011 and has established itself as a market leader in Rwanda’s real estate industry.
The two awarded projects include Kigali Green Complex which stood out as the Best Sustainable Commercial Development and Vision City Phase 2 which was awarded Best Sustainable Residential Development.
Both UDL projects — Vision City Phase 2 and Kigali Green Complex — have also been nominated to compete on the global stage in February 2024, competing with others from Asia, USA and Europe, according to Claudette Rubangura, Head of Commercial Operations at UDL.
The competition starts at the national level, continues at the continental level and ends at the global level. The two projects were evaluated by a panel of approximately 100 real estate experts.
The experts looked at various aspects of the projects, including innovative design, integration of renewable energy sources, effective waste treatment and recycling processes, as well as the use of green technology materials.
The Kigali Green Complex will be the 1st ever gold-rated green commercial building and well-certified mix-use complex in Rwanda.
A gold-rated green building is a building that has been designed, constructed and operated so as to have a low impact on the environment.
The complex will have 29 storeys making it the tallest building in Rwanda, Rubangura said.
It is expected to sit on land in Kigali’s Commercial Business District (CBD) at the former Centre d’Echange Culturel Franco-Rwandais.
Vision City Phase 2, a sustainable residential project of almost 1,500 houses, is a multi-phase housing development in Kigali.
"Vision City Phase 2 is designed with a strong focus on sustainability. Key features include PV panels and solar thermal water heating systems, energy and water-efficient plumbing fixtures, advanced wellness enhancements, integrated air quality sensors, and the use of smart appliances,” Rubangura said.
She said that the awards are important tools to raise UDL’s project visibility and showcase its dedication to building sustainable developments.
"The award serves as a seal of sustainability for our projects. The status will help us in marketing, especially when attracting potential investors interested in green communities, or international organisations seeking sustainable commercial buildings for their offices. Rwandans will have the opportunity to live and work in eco-friendly developments,” she noted.
UDL's green investment is in line with Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience National Strategy (GGCRS). The strategy’s key objectives are to achieve energy security and a low carbon energy supply that supports the development of green industries and services and avoids deforestation.
Rwanda aims to reduce emissions by 38 per cent by 2030.