The nationwide effort to eradicate asbestos roofing from public and private buildings has entered its final stage. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda is still grappling with asbestos removal According to the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), the asbestos removal programme, which began in 2009, has reduced the asbestos roofing from 1.69 million square meters of to 51,000 square meters. Exposure to asbestos causes asbestosis, a long-term inflammation of the lungs, which can result in lung cancer, among other complications. “By February 2026, we expect to have removed all remaining asbestos materials from government and public buildings,” said Yusuf Sindiheba, the Public Relations and Communication Officer at RHA. “This phase represents a significant achievement in ensuring safer and healthier public infrastructure across the country.” ALSO READ: Hazardous asbestos roofing removed from over 80% Rwandan buildings According to RHA statistics, there remains with 36,415 square meters of asbestos roofing in Southern Province. This includes some buildings of the University of Rwanda’s Huye Campus, Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare (GSOB), Rwanda Energy Group, RITCO, and hospitals and district offices in Huye, Kamonyi, Ruhango, Nyanza, and Nyaruguru Districts. In Western Province, about 7,587 square meters of asbestos will be removed from government buildings in Karongi District, including Kirinda Hospital and several sector offices. ALSO READ: Financial constraints slow asbestos removal Northern Province has about 1,800 square meters of asbestos-covered roofs, mainly at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital, while Eastern Province will see 4,094 square meters removed, notably from Kibungo Hospital. In the City of Kigali, about 1,230 square meters will be cleared from buildings in Nyarugenge District. ALSO READ: Govt sets fresh deadline for asbestos removal The entire project, initially projected to cost Rwf23 billion, began after the government formally banned asbestos materials through the Prime Minister’s Order of October 23, 2008. Since then, the country has made steady progress, with asbestos safely removed and buried in designated disposal sites. Sindiheba noted that the overall cost of removal has decreased over time, thanks to the training of local technicians and the establishment of safe disposal facilities across the country. “This progress reflects not just increased technical capacity but also a strong commitment from both the government and partners to eliminate all asbestos from national infrastructure,” he said. ALSO READ: Doctors sound warning over asbestos Asbestos roofing was once prized for its durability and fire resistance, until its health risks became apparent. Health experts stress that even limited exposure to asbestos particles poses serious health risks, especially for workers and people living under asbestos roofs.
