OVERVIEW

The history of Kigali dates back to 1906 when Dr. Richard Kandt the first imperial resident governor for Rwanda chose Nyarugenge hill as the site of the capital because of its central location in the country. Since then, Kigali has been the capital city of Rwanda as well as its commercial hub.

Kigali City is situated almost in the centre of the country. Under the recent redistricting arrangement, Kigali city is currently administered by Ndayisaba Fidèle- the City’s Executive Secretary as Kigalians are awaiting their democratically-elected Mayor. Please check table below to see the names of the new District and their respective Executive Secretaries

DISTRICT	EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Nyarugenge	Semwaga Octave
Kicukiro	Izabiliza Médiatrice
Gasabo	Kabandana Félix

Dramatic population increase has been recorded over the past two decades with the post genocide period being the period this city experienced the highest population growth. This was because most of the returning Rwandans tended to go to the capital where there was considerable security.

The population grew from 6,000 in 1960. Today the population is 603,049 inhabitants.

The challenges facing Kigali city right now is modernization so that it can take the face of a true capital city, create jobs for all who are capable, making the city a place that is attractive to, and supportive of, business and investment, both within the Central/East African region and within the world’s economy

Kigali city is located almost in the centre of the country with a latitude of 1º 57’S and on longitude 30º 04’ E.

The natural region of Kigali is Bwanacyambwe- an area of interlocking hills surrounded by two major hills namely Jali and Kigali .

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

The population of Kigali has been on the steady increase from the day resident Kandt preferred this place as his headquarters. Women constituted 52 percent of the city’s population in 2000 and about 56 percent of the entire City’s population was age below 20 according to a survey. This has far reaching consequences as far as economic dependence is concerned.

The average size of household is 5 persons. It is estimated that 51% of heads of household are male while 44% are women and 5% are children.

EDUCATION LEVEL

The majority of urban dwellers are lacking knowledge and skills to be economically productive. Parents have had a significant role in improving the status of education in the city especially after the 1994 genocide mainly through construction of several parents’- owned schools. These can be classified into nursery, primary and secondary schools.

CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Among the many problems facing this city is lack of basic social facilities such as clinics and schools because population density long surpassed the social service facility meant for it in almost all sectors including water supply, power provision, and sewage and sewerage services.

In addition, the urban market status does not support the rural-urban influx and results in a severe unemployment crisis. In search for alternatives, many people are forced into criminal activities.

Spontaneous building of residential and commercial buildings is a problem facing the City authorities and it is hampering efforts to give this city the look of a true capital city. The post 1994 period witnessed a boom in the construction sector mostly because of the influx of 1994 refugees but most of it was not organized because there was no respect for the City master plan.

Current efforts by the city authorities to clean-up the city have produced commendable success and these have been complemented by a voluntary drive among Kigalians to construct modern buildings in almost all corners of the city.

Source: (MINALOC- “List of the Governors and Districts Excecutive Secretaries” 3rd Census of Population and Housing of Rwanda-August 2002; Rwanda National Business Directory: A Project of the Rwanda Investment Promotion Agency, 2004).

Download Kigali City Performance contract for 2008

Kigali City Performance contract for 2008 (Excel, 79.5 kb)