The City of Kigali is the capital of Rwanda and is located at Rwanda’s geographical heart. Occupying an area of 730km2, the City is located at latitude 10o58’ S and a longitude 30o07’ E.The average annual precipitation rate is approximately, with an annual average high temperature of 27oC and annual average low temperature of 16 oC.
The City of Kigali is composed of three Districts namely Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge. Gasabo is the largest district by geographical area at 429.3km2, followed by Kicukiro (166.7km2) and Nyarugenge (134km2). The City of Kigali population is 1,745,555 the datsource is the fifth Rwanda Population and Housing Census (RPHC5).
The districts are also divided into 35 administrative sectors which in turn are divided into 161 Cells.The smallest administrative unit is the village and the City is made up of 1,155 villages.The City boarders the Gicumbi and Rulindo Districts of Northern Province, Bugesera and Rwamagana Districts of Eastern Province and Kamonyi District of Southern Province. Kigali is the most visited area in Rwanda. It houses several tourism sites, hotels, and a centrally placed International Airport.
A new International Airport in Bugesera to serve Kigali is under construction about 15 km to the east of the City.The City of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda has seen rapid growth for the last two and half decades. It is among the fastest growing cities in Africa with an urbanization annual growth rate of 4% and it contributes over 41% of the national GDP which indicates the primacy of Kigali to the Rwandan economy.
This growth has been driven by visionary leadership in Rwanda which has helped transform the country from a low scale agrarian economy to an active player within the regional economy. Kigali has been at the centre of the transformation in Rwanda and is on the threshold of rapid economic growth.
The goal of the City of Kigali is to be:
A City of character, vibrant economy and diversity
A City of green transport
A City of affordable homes
A City of enchanting nature & biodiversity
A City of sustainable resource management
A City of Endearing character & unique local identity
What can I do In Kigali?
Ideally positioned in the centre of Rwanda, Kigali extends across several hills and valleys, with good road links to the rest of the country. The verdant capital city is pleasantly low key yet dynamic and progressive, with just over one million inhabitants.
First-time visitors to the bustling and colourful centre often remark how clean the streets are, a matter of pride across every community throughout the country.
Kigali is a relatively new city. It was founded as an administrative outpost in 1907, and became the capital of the country at independence in 1962, shifting focus away from Huye.
The city’s wide tree-lined boulevards and immaculate squares are safe to stroll, where outsiders are generally left to their own devices unless they need assistance, in which case they will be greeted with warm hospitality.
There is a burgeoning art scene, as well as a growing number of options to dine out and have a few drinks, many with charming panoramic views. The Kigali Cultural Village offers a dedicated space for local artisans and food vendors to exhibit and trade their goods.
Kigali is developing rapidly, with new shopping malls, office buildings and, of course, the convention centre which lights up the night sky atop of one of the many hills.
The central business district covers Nyarugenge Hill while the government and administrative quarter is further east on Kacyiru Hill.
Nyarutarama Lake, or Lover’s Lake, borders an 18-hole golf course in one of the main valleys. The track around the lake is remarkably peaceful and makes for an excellent urban nature walk, with the chance to see some of Rwanda’s incredible birds.
No visit to Rwanda would be complete without a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which, through education and peace-building, honours the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994. The three permanent exhibitions and burial gardens form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished, and provide a powerful educational tool for visitors.