FEATURED: An insight into how Infrastructures in Rwanda are transforming lives, boosting the economy

24 years after the change of regime; the end to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that left over a million people dead, thousands of orphans and widows and others fleeing the country let alone a failed state—it might sound too long or short a time to deliver tangible transformation depending on who is arguing and why. In this pictorial series, we will be running a number of selected pictures from all around the country showing how Rwanda has changed since 1994 in different sectors. In the first edition of “Before and After” we look at how the capital city Kigali has evolved in urbanization, housing and rural settlement since 2007 with a few exceptions of some photos taken before than time. Known for its cleanliness’ and security, Kigali also has created a name for its fantastic foods from around the world, luxurious hotels, and uplifting stories like those told about the city ten years ago add to the Rwandan capital›s distinct charm. Kigali City Towers In this bulletin, we bring you pictures of Kigali city that show how the city looked like ten years ago by comparing them with the changed Kigali skyline of today. Kigali City Tower is a high rise office and retail building located in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The complex consists of a 20-story tower, the tallest in the country, a four-story commercial center and a car park block, with space divided between leased office space and retail outlets. Major retailers include supermarket Nakumatt, Bourbon Coffee and a four screen cinema. The building, on the site of a former bus station, was developed by Rwandan businessman Hatari Sekoko and built by Chinese engineers. The building work began in 2006 and the complex opened in 2011. The city aims to attract investors from all over the world by focusing on sustainable growth having in it in mind that Kigali is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa with the fastest rate of urbanization, and will need to update both its economic and social infrastructure to accommodate this. Conventional center The Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center in Kigali is just 5 kilometers from the bustling city center and Kigali International Airport (KGL). Our contemporary hotel is situated in an office park with Kigali Convention Center, which has room for up to 5,000 delegates. It’s just 2 km from several government embassies, the British High Commission, the Parliament and the Supreme Court. The hotel has 291 plush rooms and suites that offer private balconies and free high-speed Wi-Fi. 2 on-site restaurants, including one with all-day dining, serve up continental and Rwandan favorites as well as the Super Breakfast Buffet. Planning an event in Kigali was made easier with 18 meeting rooms, including a state-of-the-art auditorium which accommodates more than 2,000 attendees, provide a sophisticated backdrop for weddings and other social events. The hotel also offers 650 parking bays. After a day exploring Kigali you can maintain your workout regimen in our fitness center and relax in the outdoor swimming pool. Kigali heights The Kigali heights building project delivered world class office blocks in the heart of kimihurura with 27, 750 sqm of class A office space, 5250 sqm of prime rental space and 300 car parking space. The area site where Kigali Heights sits has anchored Kimihurura development and has positioned it as an iconic Kigali location. The sub area is envisioned to be a gateway to the city from the Kigali international airport and an extremely important symbolic urban space for the new Rwanda. Vision City project is the biggest housing project in Rwanda to date. It is a high-end residential and commercial development. It is the flagship project from the country’s largest real estate developer Ultimate Developers Ltd. It will have more than 504 units, ranging from luxury villas and apartments. It will be built in four phases over a period of eight years, with phase one slated for completion early November 2016. In addition to residential housing, the development also has a town center, which will serve as the commercial hub of the estate. The residential and town center facilities will both have Wi-Fi internet connection. The facilities include commercial facilities, restaurants, office complex, a luxury three-star hotel and convention center. The project is being undertaken by CCECC Limited, a Chinese company, with Synergy as the project designer and supervisor. The government has pursued a plan to set aside planned settlement sites in different parts of the country and invest in building model villages there as part of the latest efforts to modernise rural settlements. As part of modernising rural settlements, every district in the country has set aside at least one planned settlement site where the government can build homes for indigent people living in high-risk zones and other well-off residents can build their own homes there too. Ortpn building in Kigali Located in Kigali, 100 metres from Kigali Tourist Office, Ubumwe Grande Hotel features air-conditioned rooms and free private parking. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some units include a seating area where you can relax. Certain units have views of the mountain or city. Each room comes with a private bathroom. Extras include bathrobes and slippers. Ubumwe Grande Hotel features free WiFi throughout the property. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property. The hotel also offers bike hire and car hire. Union Trade Centre is 200 metres from Ubumwe Grande Hotel. Kigali city offices The now new nine level towers for the Kigali City offices have been constructed in the same former space. The construction works on the new premises took one year and eight months and cost around Rwf 6Billions according to the sources at Kigali city. For the people who know Kigali, the new Kigali city building stands exactly where the former President Habyarimana’s offices used to be back in the days. Kigali city offices had been criticized many times for abolishing other buildings when its offices where in ruin, until recently when it finally constructed its magnificent office.

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FEATURED: An insight into how Infrastructures in Rwanda are transforming lives, boosting the economy