World Bank approves Rwf144bn to finance Kigali's public transport

A New Chapter for Kigali's Urban Mobility

A fresh $100 million (about Rwf144 billion) financing to Rwanda by the World Bank has been sanctioned by its Board of Executive Directors.

The new financing seeks to introduce a greener and safer mobility option to facilitate Kigali to go green and provide inclusive, accessible, and climate-resilient transport capabilities.

The International Development Association (IDA) comprising package is supposed to fund the Rwanda Urban Mobility Improvement (RUMI) Project.

The press statement indicated that some of the critical challenges that the project is likely to overcome include poor provision of public transport services, improper provision of facilities used by pedestrians and cyclers, busy roads and traffic, and road safety infrastructures in Kigali.

The new funding prioritized the following flagship interventions to be implemented: development of the Nyabugogo multimodal transit hub, implementation of dedicated bus lanes, expansion of sidewalks and cycling paths to satisfy last-mile connectivity, and the deployment of electric buses and provision of the charging infrastructure.

As Sahr Kpundeh, World Bank Country Manager in Rwanda, said, the project will open access to employment and services especially to women and youth and enable the vision of Kigali as a climate-smart and a public transport-oriented city. He also said, it is also to make day to day travel predictable, secure and inclusive. More than one third of the jobs in Kigali are accessible within an hour through public transport.

The project, however, is hoped to tide up the waves since it would enhance connectivity along major corridors and allow people easy access to the workplace, schools, and other key amenities.

A single hub that is proposed (Nyabugogo) should render up to 180,000 passengers in a day by 2030, transforming into a major regional and local hub, transit and economic activities hub, and employment hub.

Added Akiko Kishiue, World Bank Senior Urban Transport Specialist of Rwanda, the Rwanda Urban Mobility Improvement Project preconditions the modern, efficient, and environment-friendly system of the urban transport environment. Through investment in our infrastructures, institutions and innovation, we will enhance urban mobility and thousands of local direct and indirect jobs will be created.

Gender-sensitive initiative

The World Bank further notes that, the project will focus on gender equity and that it addresses the under representation of women (4.2 percent) in Rwanda transport sector.

It will also provide employment opportunities to women in transport planning, construction, and operations as well as creating opportunities even to women who operate in the Nyabugogo multi-modal transit hub as entrepreneurs. The European Union and the European Investment Bank co-finances the project.

Why This Funding Matters

Kigali ranks as one of the rapidly developing cities in Africa. As the populations have grown at a fast rate and there have been increased car ownership, the existing transport infrastructure of the city has failed to support the demands. The buses are usually overfilled, there are few routes, and commuting is difficult due to the absence of the real-time data.
This new funding is a direct redress to such issues where it is envisaged that:

• Increase the buses in the city transport network
• Enhance bus networks/connections
• Launch cashless payment and tracking systems by GPS
• Build bus lanes and bus terminals
• Improve accessibility to handicapped persons
• The investment by the World Bank demonstrates the high level of confidence in the Rwanda vision of transforming to a smart, green, and people-oriented economy.

What Will Change?

1. Fleet Modernization

One major area that is to be implemented as part of the project is the introduction of low-emission and fuel efficient buses. This is in line with Rwanda being able to lower its carbon offset and provide safer and comfortable means of transport.

2. Smart Infrastructure

In Kigali, digital ticket systems will be established, real-time bus scheduling apps, and updating of the traffic signals to improve bus efficiency and punctuality.

3. New Transport Corridors

The investment will facilitate the establishment of special bus lanes, so that the public transport will move independently of the traffic congestions and will be able to reach the destinations in less time.

4. Enhanced Bus terminals

The bus stations in the city of Kigali will be modernized offering the bus populated up-to-date facilities as well as updated lighting systems, and accessibility rampways that can help them reach the important facilities in real-time.

5. Job Creation

The project will create thousands of jobs in construction, maintenance and technology fields- which is an impetus to the post-COVID economic development of Rwanda.

What Leaders Are Saying

According to Clare Akamanzi, the Ambassador of Rwanda at the World Bank, the funding was a life-changing breakthrough in the quest to make Rwanda a spotless example of sustainable urban transportation.

Yusuf Murangwa, the minister in charge of finance, stressed the economic role of the project:

The modern transport infrastructure is not all about mobility. It has to do with linking people to opportunities, work, education and services.”

Environmental & Social Impact

Sustainability is one of the primary pillars in the project. The Ministry of Infrastructure further anticipates that this project will greatly reduce air pollution in Kigali, enhance road safety, and encourage people to shift to use of public transports instead of using their own cars.

Moreover, the project lays specific focus on inclusion of gender, paying attention to the safety of women and girls as well as their accessibility to the buses and terminals.

Kigali as a Model City

Kigali was the city that has always been praised by its safety and clean streets. With such project, it will become one of the paradigms of African smart cities and it will demonstrate the way of cooperation with international organizations, such as the World Bank, to create resilient and inclusive urban areas.