Over 120,000 hectares of state-owned land idle, govt looks to put it to use

The government is reviewing the status of idle state-owned land and aging public buildings as part of efforts to put them to productive use through partnerships with investors, the Minister of Environment Bernadette Arakwiye has said. The state owns about 120,000 hectares of land, equivalent to roughly 500,000 plots, most of which are allocated to agriculture and forestry. ALSO READ: Unlocking Kigali’s idle land through partnerships and vertical living An assessment of how such land is being used began in 2025 in the City of Kigali and Bugesera District and is expected to be completed within the next two years, as the government seeks to establish accurate information on land use and identify opportunities to engage investors through partnerships with relevant institutions. In a discussion with Members of Parliament on February 17, Arakwiye said the exercise is also intended to address gaps in land records, particularly where information is missing on the activities currently taking place on some parcels. ALSO READ: Government resumes registration of state land “While much state-owned land has been earmarked for housing settlements and other developments, some parcels remain unused, while old and abandoned buildings pose safety risks to neighbouring communities,” she noted. Some state-owned land, she said, is idle despite having approved physical plans, and some buildings are no longer in use and present risks, adding that the situation requires better coordination in management and implementation. “The ministry is working closely with institutions responsible for state owned buildings to ensure such assets are put to productive use. In the meantime, land earmarked for construction but not yet developed may be temporarily used by local governments as public gardens or for tree planting,” she noted. She explained that state owned land can be leased or temporarily allocated to investors for projects such as hotels, hospitals, schools, commercial developments, industries and agricultural ventures. In particular, she pointed out that discussions are also ongoing regarding land occupied by overaged buildings, citing parts of the University of Rwanda’s Huye campus. She explained that authorities are determining the land required by the institution, while surplus land would be availed to investors. State-owned land can also used for diplomatic purposes, including land exchanges with foreign governments, as well as for public interest projects such as housing for disaster-affected communities.

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Over 120,000 hectares of state-owned land idle, govt looks to put it to use