Rehabilitation of five wetlands in Kigali City is at over 90% completion to form the Kigali Wetlands Park, which is expected to generate eco-tourism revenue. Rwanda Development Board (RDB) last week invited interested firms to bid for the management, financing, operation and revenue generation of the park. Applications must be submitted by July 4. ALSO READ: Govt seeks manager, financing partner for Kigali Wetlands Park Under the Second Urban Development Project (RUDP II) and the Kigali Flood Control and Urban Catchment Management Programme, the Government is rehabilitating Nyabugogo (131 ha), Kibumba (68 ha), Rugenge-Rwintare (65 ha), Rwampara (65 ha) and Gikondo (162 ha). Vincent Mwumvaneza, Project Director at the Real Contractors and NPD Joint Venture, which is contracted to rehabilitate four of the five wetlands, told The New Times that the works are 94 per cent complete. The 491 hectares of restored wetlands are expected to provide flood attenuation, improved water quality, biodiversity enhancement, landscape regeneration, and 61.5 kilometres of walkways and cycling paths. Across the four wetlands, engineers have implemented hydraulic interventions designed to slow water flow and reduce flooding risks downstream, particularly in Nyabugogo. In Gikondo, the project team has constructed dykes, ponds and widened drainage channels to increase water-carrying capacity. ALSO READ: How Rwanda is faring in wetlands restoration Spillways and other attenuation structures have also been built to regulate water movement. “The hydraulic infrastructure helps reduce the speed and volume of water flow, which is essential for controlling floods and protecting downstream communities,” Mwumvaneza explained. More than 220,000 households at risk of flooding are expected to benefit from the project. Once the management and financing partner has been selected to operate the wetlands park, they will be required to design and implement sustainable financing mechanisms, including models based on user revenues, concessions, donor funding and impact investment, to ensure long-term operation, maintenance and reinvestment. According to the RDB’s released descriptioon, each of the five wetlands will feature visitor and tourism facilities, as well as commercial infrastructure designed to generate revenue. Kibumba wetland Kibumba is envisioned as a vibrant eco-economic interface linking restored wetland systems with urban development. Engineers have developed a system of five ponds and several weirs to improve water retention and distribute water more evenly across the wetland. ALSO READ: Over 20 per cent of Kigali city wetlands need rehabilitation The site integrates recreation, SME development and eco-commerce while maintaining ecological buffers and biodiversity protection. Planned uses include mixed-use facilities such as restaurants, retail outlets, wellness centres, cafés, event spaces and parking areas. Recreational activities will include fishing, children party venues, sports fields, a cooking school, and a botanical garden for educational and leisure purposes. Nyabugogo wetland Nyabugogo is the flagship urban wetland, combining stormwater management, biodiversity conservation and intensive public use. It integrates a central lake, vegetated islands, transport connectivity and recreation into a multifunctional landscape. Planned activities include lakeside food and beverage outlets, recreational facilities, and water-based equipment such as kayaks for beach experiences. ALSO READ: Fishing to feature in five Kigali wetlands after rehabilitation Other facilities will include parking areas, food trucks and kiosks along the road, linked to transport interchange points. Nyabugogo will also host an information centre where visitors can learn about wetland conservation. “Nyabugogo will also feature a large sand filtration area that will eventually be transformed into a beach-like recreational space for the public,” Mwumvaneza said. Gikondo wetland Gikondo is envisioned as an urban botanical and events area that combines ecological restoration with recreation, education and cultural programming. ALSO READ: Is Gikondo recreational park finally coming to life? “We have managed to retain most of the water, allowing different species to survive again. We have also planted trees and grass that help filter water naturally. Birds have started returning, and vegetation is regenerating as the ecosystem recovers,” Mwumvaneza noted. He added that domestic wastewater from nearby settlements is being managed, and trash racks have been installed to prevent plastic waste from entering the wetlands. Planned facilities include ticketing areas, restaurants, event spaces, retail outlets, interactive environmental experiences, a botanical garden, sports fields, public restrooms and parking areas, including football and volleyball pitches. “Gikondo wetland was previously occupied by industries. As a result, the natural ecosystem and biodiversity were damaged. We are now restoring it to its natural state,” he explained. He added that water is now being retained following restoration works. “Previously, industrial activities diverted much of the water away from these areas towards Nyabugogo.” Rugenge–Rwintare wetland Rugenge–Rwintare is designed as a creative eco-wetland where art, recreation and environmental education intersect. ALSO READ: Over 6,500 activities evicted from Kigali City wetlands. What next? In Rugenge, a large pond has been constructed to store runoff water from surrounding areas. “Water is channelled through newly created meanders that slow its movement and improve natural filtration,” Mumvaneza said. Planned attractions include a zipline, food and beverage outlets, event spaces, pond-side experiences, a knowledge hub and parking areas. Rwampara wetland Rwampara will be a cultural forest wetland focused on ecological restoration, cultural expression and quiet recreation through forest walks and community-based activities. Facilities will include a cultural centre with a restaurant, creative workshops, event spaces and parking areas, as well as food and beverage outlets near sports fields and Cercle Sportif de Kigali. Revenue streams Subject to approval by the Park Committee, proposed revenue sources include entry fees, concession arrangements, carbon finance projects, facility rentals, paid parking, event permits, activity fees, premium zone access, commercial rentals, sponsorships, donor funding, and ecosystem service markets, RDB explained. The success of Nyandungu Eco-Park, has demonstrated the potential of transforming degraded wetlands into functional urban parks. In 2025, the ecopark recorded nearly 112,000 visitors. The governemnt plant to convert 25 per cent of Kigali’s urban area into green and recreational spaces, with wetlands playing a central role in flood control, water purification and biodiversity conservation. Covering approximately 75.21 square kilometres, Kigali’s wetlands provide essential ecosystem services, including flood mitigation, water filtration and biodiversity protection. The Government of Rwanda, in partnership with the World Bank, the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), the Kingdom of Denmark, and KfW, is spearheading one of the most ambitious urban wetland rehabilitation efforts in the region, backed by a total financing package of $195.68 million. The investment brings together contributions from the International Development Association ($150 million), the Strategic Climate Fund ($2.38 million), the Global Environment Facility ($8.07 million), the Nordic Development Fund ($10.23 million), and the Kingdom of Denmark ($10 million), with the Government of Rwanda itself committing $15 million, underscoring the country's strong ownership of and dedication to this landmark initiative. The $195 million RUDP2 project comprises several components, including wetland rehabilitation, road construction, and other urban development interventions. The Wetland Rehabilitation Component under the RUDP2 Project is funded from several sources, including $2.38 million from the International Development Association (IDA) as a loan, $8.07 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), $10.2 million from the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), $3.8 million from the Rwanda Green Fund (RGF) through KfW funding, $10 million from Danish funds, and $5.1 million from IDA as a grant. In addition, the funding allocated specifically to Rwampara Wetland amounts to €6.1 million.
