The decision to move some administrative institutions to secondary cities in order to help spur their socio-economic development is awaiting an endorsement of cabinet, the Minister for Infrastructure has said.

The relocation is part of the resolutions of the 15th Leadership Retreat of 2018 aimed at supporting the development and expansion of secondary cities through agglomeration of economies and relocation of some government institutions.

The six secondary cities are designed to spur urban development outside of the capital city Kigali, through equitably distributing economic activities across the country.

They are also expected to support economic growth, which experts argue could tame the tide of rural-urban migration characterised by an influx of people to Kigali seeking jobs and better livelihoods.

The secondary cities include Musanze in Northern Province, Nyagatare in Eastern Province, Huye and Muhanga in Southern Province, and Rubavu and Rusizi in Western Province.

Minister Claver Gatete told The New Times that that during last years leadership retreat, the Government resolved to identify institutions to relocate secondary cities, an exercise he said is complete but waits the approval of cabinet.

"The cabinet will soon deliberate on which institutions will be relocated, where they will go, among other factors…we will publically announce that after the cabinet has decided,” he said.

The relocation, according to the Rwanda Housing Authority, should consider the growth potentials of each secondary city, and the contribution that the entity in question will bring to the economy and lives of people living there, among other the aspects.

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