Fifty businesspeople under Huye Trading Company (HTC) are on track to complete the Huye Business Mall by December 2026, according to Gervais Butera Bagabe, Chairperson of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation in Huye District. The four-storey complex (Ground + 3) is budgeted at Rwf7 billion, with the possibility of a second phase that would add three additional floors. Funding details for that expansion are still under discussion. Speaking during a site visit by Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, Butera said the project, which began in 2023, is progressing steadily and should be completed between October and December 2026 if financing remains on track. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: PM Nsengiyumva outlines efforts to boost agricultural productivity So far, investors have injected about Rwf4.8 billion, more than 60 percent of the required budget into the project. HTC is now seeking a loan to cover the remaining costs. The mall is being built on land formerly occupied by Ngoma Sector offices, police facilities, and the Huye branch of the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA). Covering 5,400 square metres of built area and offering more than 20,000 square metres of usable space in its first phase, the mall is expected to host between 2,000 and 3,000 traders once complete. This would make it significantly larger than the Huye City Complex, the district’s current biggest trading hub which accommodates just over 1,000 traders. According to Butera, the initiative was driven by a shortage of suitable indoor commercial space in Huye. Most roadside properties are already occupied and are too small for larger businesses such as supermarkets. “This building is designed to be inclusive, catering to both large and small businesses,” Butera said. “It will not only solve the shortage of commercial space but also create jobs for residents of Huye and nearby districts.” ALSO READ: Progressively, Huye town is coming back to life Demand for space is already high, with potential tenants expressing interest before construction is complete. The facility will also include a dedicated parking area to ease roadside congestion. Prime Minister Nsengiyumva commended the investors and urged them to fast-track the project once financing is secured. He noted that timely completion would be vital for both traders and the wider community. Butera added that private sector players in Huye are also exploring opportunities in the construction of student hostels, but rising costs—especially value-added tax (VAT) on building materials—make affordable housing a challenge. He called for government incentives to make such investments more feasible. In response, Nsengiyumva pledged government support where possible and encouraged continued dialogue between business and government to find solutions.
