Several ongoing public and private sector development initiatives are set to boost Rwanda’s tourism sector. These include some projects being undertaken in Kigali City and its environs — the construction of a new international airport in Bugesera, the expansion of the Giporoso-Masaka road, and the restoration of the city’s wetlands into tourist attractions. The Government is constructing the airport in Bugesera, approximately 25 kilometres from Kigali City. The project is expected to be completed by 2026, significantly expanding the nation’s air transport infrastructure. For a country busy building its tourism sector as a key economic pillar, such infrastructure is a boon. At the same time, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) is busy restoring five of the city’s wetlands. The $80 million (approximately Rwf101.6 billion) project kicked off in January last year. Targeted for restoration are Nyabugogo, Gikondo, Rugenge-Rwintare, Rwampara, and Kibumba swamps. Also, as part of ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure in the city, the Government plans to expand the Prince House-Giporoso-Masaka road. The project, to commence in April, will expand the 10-kilometre road into four lanes, from the current two. This will ease traffic on the busy road that links the city to Kigali International Airport. Over the years, the government has increased investments in infrastructure, to lower the cost of doing business in the country. Meanwhile, Kigali Paramount Hotel, a new hospitality outlet in the city, is coming up in Kagarama, right next to the Mount Kigali University campus. The university, a private entity that has thrived because of the conducive operating environment in the country, has established the luxurious 42-bed hotel as a hospitality training facility that will also serve the wider public, including tourists. The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Martin Kimemia, reveals that the hotel is set to open this year. “We see it contributing significantly towards Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sector,” he says, adding: “It will play a big role in developing a competent workforce with market-relevant skills.” Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sector has become a significant driver of growth and employment within the national economy. This is because the Government has made substantial investments in leisure tourism and the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. Last year, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranked Rwanda as the second top destination for international conferences and business meetings in Africa. Kigali Paramount Hotel is set to be a landmark in the country and the Great Lakes region, comparable to Kenya's Utalii Hotel and Swiss hotel training schools. It will play a crucial role in equipping Rwandans with the hands-on skills essential for driving tourism to the next level. The tourism sector relies on both skilled and unskilled labour, with a mix of technical and interpersonal skills required to meet client needs. Strong communication and interpersonal abilities are essential across the entire tourism and hospitality value chain, added the Vice-Chancellor. Situated along the Bugesera highway, leading to the new airport in Kagarama, Kicukiro District, Kigali Paramount Hotel is already turning heads with its striking architecture. A Kigali resident commented, “As a parent, the construction of this facility is a relief to me, as my dream was to send my son to study overseas. Now, he can study locally, I congratulate the government for attracting such investors into the country.” Mount Kigali University tourism and hospitality students are excited. “The hotel is huge and will be a good place for hands-on learning. I look forward to learning service and culinary skills, says Grace Umtoni, a first-year Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management student. On his part, Stanley Muvunyi, a first-year Diploma in Culinary Arts student, says to those who wish to pursue careers in the hospitality, tourism, and travel industry, “Mount Kigali University is a place to be. The university keeps on expanding its infrastructure and invests in marketable programmes. A good example of such investments is the Kigali Paramount Hotel.” Dr Kimemia reveals that the university is expanding and is constructing a new tuition block that will house offices for faculty and associate staff, lecture theaters, recreational rooms, and a student cafeteria. It is also planning to build more hostels. These upgrades are designed to enhance both the quality of services and the overall student experience, while also improving the university’s visual appeal. The new structures will contribute to a more vibrant and aesthetically pleasing environment, enriching the allure of the university’s surroundings.