A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for the highly anticipated Kigali Innovation City (KIC), a US$2 billion project that aims to transform Rwanda into Africa’s leading technology and innovation hub.
The event, presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, marked the beginning of the construction of the state-of-the-art tech village in the Kigali Special Economic Zone, Gasabo District.
Kigali Innovation City is expected to serve as a center for technology, research, and innovation across Africa, with the potential to turn Rwanda into a global leader in tech innovation.
Spanning 61 hectares, the project is designed to attract top talent and companies from around the world, creating 50,000 jobs and providing a collaborative space for innovators.
The city will also host returning Rwandan students, 2,600 of whom are currently studying abroad, to work in various companies set to establish themselves within the hub.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Ngirente reaffirmed the government’s commitment to KIC, pledging full support to ensure its success. “The government stands ready to provide all the necessary support to make this city a thriving center for innovation, research, and technology,” he said.
“KIC is more than just physical infrastructure. It is an ecosystem that will foster innovation, attract talent and international investment. With Africa50 and BADEA we are building a brighter future” Dr. Ngirente added
The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, who has been instrumental in the development of the project, expressed her excitement about the long-term impact of KIC.
“Today, we get to be part of the birthing process of the KIC,” she said. “We hope to embed technology into the DNA of our corporate organizations, government institutions, and the country as a whole so that, 5 to 10 years from now, we can start seeing the unicorns that will come out of this place and put Rwanda on the map.”
KIC is expected to mirror the success of Silicon Valley in the United States, home to global tech giants such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft.
The city will focus on various fields, including data science, artificial intelligence, computer technology, and business innovation.
By cultivating a tech ecosystem, Rwanda aims to generate US$150 million in revenue from international projects facilitated by KIC and an additional US$300 million from investments into the hub’s technological ventures.
“This project reflects a collective ambition of all our people to transform our country so that innovation, education, and technology can truly become a cornerstone for Rwanda’s future,” said RDB CEO, Francis Gatare, at today’s groundbreaking ceremony.
He added that Kigali Innovation City is poised to make a meaningful impact.
“In fact, at its peak, we expect more than 50,000 jobs to be created right here. With the investments coming into this hub, we anticipate over US$150 million in exports of technology and innovation services, positioning Rwanda as a global competitor in the technology marketplace.”
Rwanda’s ambition to become a regional and global tech leader is already gaining traction with initiatives like Norresken Africa, a tech innovation firm based in Kigali.
The addition of Kigali Innovation City is expected to further enhance the country’s profile on the global stage, as it provides a platform for both local and international companies to innovate and grow.
KIC is not just an economic project but a vision for Rwanda’s future, with hopes of fostering the country’s first “unicorn” tech companies and establishing it as a continental leader in technological innovation.
With groundbreaking projects like KIC, Rwanda is positioning itself as a force to be reckoned with in the global tech industry.
“Being an innovator, I believe many technology-driven companies will want to come here because they will be supported in their efforts to make the future possible today. With this being a proof-of-concept hub, what better place for a technology-software company to be?, says Lou Major, Senior Business Development Executive at ANSYS, on their decision to set up their first Africa office in Kigali Innovation City.
“For us, being here allows us to work with Rwanda to showcase the country’s progress, and that’s something we can leverage at ANSYS to propel us further in Africa.”
