Rubavu Industrial Park is awaiting approval of ‘physical plans’ to pave the way for construction, The New Times has learnt. Physical plans are detailed designs or architectural layouts for how the industrial space will be used or developed.

The plans show where buildings, roads, drainage, water, power layouts, and other utilities will be placed.

Rubavu industrial park was approved by the district council in June 2023.

However, the zone has yet to be developed and utilised, as it remains in the early stages of development.

The project spans 250 hectares and is located in Rugerero and Nyakiriba sectors of Rubavu District, according to district officials.

"Once the physical plans are approved, we will focus on key infrastructure like roads within the site, water supply, and electricity. The electricity is not far from the site, but we’ll need to extend it directly to the park,” Prosper Mulindwa, Mayor of Rubavu District, told The New Times.

According to Mulindwa, the draft plans for the industrial park are expected to be validated by the end of this month.

"Once approved, key infrastructure projects like roads, electricity, and water supply will be prioritized before any construction begins,” he noted.

ALSO READ: Key infrastructure projects to look out for in 2025

He added that works on these components will begin once the plans are officially validated, and emphasised that the process will involve coordination between the district, the Ministry of Trade, and other institutions, depending on the infrastructure needs.

Attracting investors

To attract investors to the planned industrial park, Rubavu District is working with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to organise engagement activities to introduce the industrial park to potential investors from Rubavu, other parts of Rwanda, and even beyond, particularly from the neighboring city of Goma in the DRC.

"We’re targeting both local and foreign investors,” he said.

ALSO READ: Infrastructure minister on how Rubavu Port will impact trade

Mulindwa indicated that the private sector in Rubavu has shown interest, especially after learning that the park's physical plans are close to approval.

"They’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and now that the process is moving forward, they’ve committed to spreading the word to their networks, both within Rubavu and beyond.”

Types of needed industries

Although the industrial park is still in the planning stage, draft zoning outlines the types of industries expected to operate there.

These include agricultural processing, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, food processing, construction materials, plastic manufacturing, paper products, and warehousing and storage facilities.

The mayor emphasised that these sectors were selected based on the economic potential of the region and the park’s strategic location. "These are the key industries we’ve proposed in the draft plans, but it’s important to note that nothing is final yet. The zoning is still under validation.”

He also pointed out that once the park is operational, additional sectors may be considered depending on demand and investor interest.

At least 70 per cent of industries in industrial parks in Rwanda are operational, with the rest under different stages of development, according to the Ministry of Trade.

The government has put in place two special economic zones – Kigali Special Economic Zone and Bugesera Special Economic Zone – and eight industrial parks in Rwamagana, Muhanga, Nyagatare, Musanze, Huye, Nyabihu, Rusizi, and Rubavu districts.

With industrial growth, the country seeks to increase export receipts from $3.5 billion (approximately Rwf4.8 trillion) to $7.3 billion (approximately Rwf10 trillion).

Currently, the land allocated to industries across the country is 1,200 hectares.