MPs launch nationwide assessment of urban development, housing, and land use

By Telesphore KABERUKA

The Parliament of Rwanda is set to conduct a comprehensive nationwide outreach to assess how government programmes in urban development, housing, and land use management are being implemented across the country. The outreach, announced on 21 November 2025, will take place from 24 to 29 November in all provinces, and continue in the City of Kigali from 5 to 6 December 2025.

According to the press release, Members of the Chamber of Deputies will visit 237 sectors to evaluate ongoing projects, identify gaps, and explore opportunities for improvement. They will hold discussions with district and sector officials, as well as engage households and community groups directly affected by urbanization and land-use decisions.

Strengthening citizen-centered development

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Gertrude Kazarwa, emphasized that the outreach is a way of reinforcing Parliament’s commitment to citizen-responsive development.

“Through these field visits, Parliament reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that urban development, housing, and land use initiatives truly respond to the needs of our citizens. Listening directly to communities allows us to strengthen oversight and support government programs that deliver tangible and sustainable impact,” she said.

In addition to meetings, Parliamentarians will join residents in Umuganda, Rwanda’s monthly community work, to promote clean, safe, and organized neighborhoods, a cornerstone of Rwanda’s urbanization model.

Rwanda’s rapid urban growth and ongoing challenges

Rwanda remains one of Africa’s fastest-urbanising countries. Government projections indicate that by 2050, more than half of the population will live in urban areas — a major shift from roughly 18% today. This transformation has driven significant investments in housing, roads, settlement planning, and new city infrastructure.

Key trends shaping the sector include strong pressure on affordable housing. The Africa Housing Finance Yearbook 2024 reports that the housing deficit is driven by high construction costs and limited access to financing. According to the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), demand for affordable and mid-range homes is higher than supply in Kigali. Rising land prices also slow the development of low-cost housing. A report by The EastAfrican notes that more than half of Kigali residents live in unplanned areas because planned housing is too expensive.

The government continues to promote planned settlement campaigns. Citizens are encouraged to move to planned and safe zones rather than high-risk areas such as wetlands or steep slopes. The MPs’ outreach mission aims to reinforce this message across all districts.

Rwanda has also strengthened land-use regulations to support Vision 2050. The National Land-Use and Development Master Plan 2020–2050 calls for orderly urban expansion. It requires districts to respect zoning rules, use land efficiently, and prevent construction in unsafe locations.

A timely oversight mission

Given these pressures, along with rapid population growth and the rising cost of construction materials, Parliament’s assessment comes at a critical time. Urban development experts note that oversight from lawmakers helps ensure that district and sector plans align with national policy, and that citizens’ concerns about housing affordability, expropriation, and settlement planning are addressed.

The nationwide outreach also provides an opportunity for Parliament to gather feedback ahead of future legislative revisions on land management, urbanization, and housing policy.