The call made last week by Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, urging the provision of accommodation and transport for thousands of workers at the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub, is a good problem to have. This situation is not a crisis, but a vibrant call to action, especially to the business community. That nearly 6,000 people, earning wages every month, are unable to find local housing is a signal of dynamic growth requiring urgent and creative responses. Located in Eastern Province, the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub is not merely a farming project but a national catalyst for transformation. Seven companies have already invested in the hub, doing different activities along the agriculture value chain. The good news is that things will only get better. The 6,000 employees are only working on the seven projects under phase one, which covers 5,600 hectares with over Rwf53bn invested in the venture. The good news is, the next phase will cover twice the area; 10,000 hectares meaning probably double the number of people employed, or even more. This level of investment signals not only unwavering confidence in Rwanda’s agricultural trajectory but also invites even greater private sector momentum. What’s more, this expansion generates economic activity well beyond the fields. As agricultural operations scale, the workforce, and with it, demand for housing, goods, schools, health services, and local commerce, will grow exponentially. The private sector is perfectly positioned to harness this. Developers and entrepreneurs should view this housing gap not as a liability, but as opportunity: develop worker housing, guest lodges, rental units, mixed-use neighbourhoods. These ventures will not only meet immediate needs but help create a thriving local ecosystem that complements the agricultural engine driving Gabiro forward. The public-sector push underscores this imperative. By spotlighting the mobility and housing constraints affecting workers, the government is signaling that these are strategic barriers to productivity and must be addressed in tandem with the drive toward expanding agribusiness. In short, the need for housing for thousands of employees today offers a preview of what tomorrow demands: infrastructure of every kind; physical, social, and economic that sustains growth. As Gabiro’s seven anchor investors forge ahead, more will follow—but only if the living and logistical support system is in place. Companies would be wise to invest in these supports now, ensuring that the workforce is not just housed, but rooted and resilient, contributing fully to the hub’s success. The housing shortage is therefore not a problem—it is a powerful signal that the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub is ready to become a fully-fledged neighborhood, economy, and engine of national growth.
