In a region where urbanisation often outpaces infrastructure, Kigali’s Green City project offers more than hope; it delivers a working prototype. By fusing finance, inclusion, and sustainability, Rwanda is not just building homes. It is building the future of African cities – one green neighborhood at a time.
By Ethical Business | Kigali, Rwanda
In the fast-growing city of Kigali, a bold experiment in climate-smart, inclusive development is quietly taking root. At the heart of it is a new partnership between NCBA Bank Rwanda and Green City Kigali (GCK), one that aims to redefine what sustainable homeownership looks like in Africa – and who gets to be part of it.
Launched on World Environment Day, the initiative is more than just symbolic. It addresses two of the most pressing urban challenges facing Rwanda and many fast-growing African cities: access to affordable housing and the need to build resilience against climate change.
Their solution? Pair climate-resilient urban planning with innovative, accessible green financing – starting with Kinyinya Hill, a 600-hectare site in northern Kigali that is set to become a model for inclusive green living.
A people-centred vision for sustainability
According to the KT Press, the NCBA–GCK partnership was designed with one key goal: make environmentally friendly housing attainable for low- and middle-income households. The initiative will introduce new, tailored mortgage products, developed with affordability in mind and backed by a commitment from NCBA Group to mobilise USD 230 million in green finance across the region.
“We firmly believe that sustainability and affordability must go hand in hand if we are to build cities that endure,” said Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda.
“This is about making sure ordinary families don’t get left behind in the green transition.”
The approach aligns with NCBA’s broader Change the Story strategy, which includes deploying EV infrastructure, planting 10 million trees by 2030, and phasing out single-use plastics across its operations.
Building a city that works for everyone
Green City Kigali, a government-led project, is envisioned as a blueprint for the African city of the future- resource-efficient, affordable, and socially inclusive. The first phase will see the construction of up to 2,000 homes through public-private partnerships, eventually serving an estimated 200,000 residents.
“This is not just a housing development,” said Basil Karimba, CEO of Green City Kigali.
“It’s a living model for climate-smart urbanisation – one rooted in equity, local culture, and environmental stewardship.”
Key to the model is a commitment to inclusion. The partnership will support financial literacy and skills training programs for residents, with a special focus on empowering women and youth to participate fully in the planning, building, and governance of their communities.
Rooted in the local landscape – and built to scale
In addition to affordable housing and inclusive financing, the initiative tackles ecological degradation in the Kinyinya Hill area, committing to planting over 10,000 trees annually and rehabilitating the local environment. The goal is not just to reduce emissions, but to create healthier, more livable spaces for current and future generations.
For the Rwandan government, the project is a critical test case.
“This initiative provides a blueprint for homegrown, inclusive development,” said Dr. Jack Ngarambe, Director General of Urbanisation, Housing, and Human Settlement at the Ministry of Infrastructure.
“While we begin with 600 hectares here in Kigali, the ambition is far greater – we see this as a model to be scaled across Rwanda and, eventually, across the continent.”
Youth as co-creators of a green future
One of the most inspiring aspects of the initiative is the active role youth are already playing. The Kepler College Environment Club, a student-led group focused on climate action and civic engagement, has been brought in as a direct beneficiary and contributor. Their projects include waste collection campaigns, sustainability education, and environmental restoration activities in Kinyinya and beyond.
“As students and residents, we’re not just learning about sustainability, we’re living it and shaping it,” said Binama Jessica, President of the club. “This partnership shows that young people have a real stake, and a real say, in the future of our cities.”
A scalable solution for the continent?
While the work is just beginning, this partnership stands out for its systemic approach to a complex challenge; one that blends finance, policy, community, and ecology.
If it succeeds, it will not just be a win for Kigali; it could serve as a replicable model for cities across Africa grappling with the dual challenge of urban growth and environmental vulnerability.
In the quest to build cities that are green, inclusive, and future-ready, Kigali may just be pointing the way.
