Rwanda achieved impressive real GDP growth of about 9% per annum between 2000 and 2014. As a result of this growth, Rwanda is experiencing high urbanization rates concentrated in its capital, Kigali, and given its limited total land area, it is now one of the densest countries in Africa. GGGI has been providing technical assistance to the GoR to achieve its green urbanization aspirations under the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2) and Green Growth and Climate Resilient Strategy (GGCRS). GGGI is strengthening the GoR’s delivery of EDPRS2 pillars 4 and 5, which focus on green urbanization, and the development of secondary cities as poles of economic growth.

The implementation of the National Land Use Plan and district land use master plans are highlighted as important elements for achieving rational land management for increased productivity stipulated under Rwanda’s National Urbanization policy (MININFRA, 2015). Integrated policy planning, financing, and capacity development barriers will have to be addressed in order to achieve this target. GGGI’s work on policy frameworks, guidelines, and investment strategies necessary for the transformation of secondary cities remains instrumental toward establishing an evidence base for green urbanization in Rwanda.

This project will build on GGGI’s work in 2015-16 that resulted in the launch of the National RoadMap for Green Secondary Cities Development in Rwanda (hereinafter referred to as the Roadmap) in May 2016. The Roadmap has been endorsed by the GoR and serves as an implementation tool for the EDPRS2 and GGCRS. In particular, the Roadmap provides key actions and practical planning guidance to policymakers by mapping out key actions and recommendations describing how green urbanization could enhance quality of health and basic services, including water, sanitation, energy, and housing, as well as address vulnerability through a participatory development approach.

Implementing the Roadmap and the continuation of effective delivery of the program will necessitate further technical assistance to the GoR to translate plans to implementation of green urban development projects.

PROJECT OUTPUTS FOR 2017-18:

• Develop recommendations for integrating the National Roadmap for Green Secondary Cities into 6 District Development Plans and submit to district governments
• Prepare project design and financing proposal for one bankable project aligned to the National Roadmap for Green Secondary Cities and submit to a financier
• Deliver 4 training events to strengthen the capacity of district governments to implement the National Roadmap for Green Secondary Cities

PROJECT OUTCOMES FOR 2017-18:

• At least four District Development Plans incorporate key actions from the National Roadmap for Green Secondary Cities Development
• One bankable project aligned to the National Roadmap for Green Secondary Cities approved for financing and implementation
• At least 70% of training participants gain improved knowledge or skills relating to the development of green secondary cities

The overall outcome of the project is to contribute to green urbanization implementation through integrated planning, financing of pilot projects, and institutional strengthening. This will be done by delivering the following outputs:

Urbanization sector action plans and District Development Plans (DDPs) reviewed to integrate key actions and recommendations from the National Roadmap. Based on a needs assessment, sector action plans and DDPs were determined to be essential for the implementation of the Roadmap. At the national level, the work would involve supporting relevant institutions, such as the urbanization divisions of the Ministries of Infrastructure, Ministry of Local Government, and the Kigali city municipality, to integrate the recommendations into their policy documents and decision-making processes. At the district level (where the six secondary cities are located), GGGI will ensure alignment with the key actions and recommendations of the Roadmap in at least four existing DDPs, and review relevant project pipelines identified in 2016 for early stage project preparation.

A financing proposal for a bankable project as identified in the National Roadmap for Green Secondary Cities submitted. Based on the bankable project pipeline identified in 2016, GGGI will scope potential green secondary city projects by conducting pre-feasibility studies on at least two projects: (i) a resource mobilization scoping exercise; and (ii) the design of an investment plan on at least one project, with the aim of submitting a project proposal to a potential financer. The GoR has also set up a Fund for Environment and Climate Change (FONERWA that GGGI is currently supporting. This domestic financing vehicle is the key institution mandated with accessing and deploying financial resources toward green growth in Rwanda. GGGI will explore the possibility of leveraging resources through FONERWA to mobilize financing for this bankable project.

Training of Trainers (ToT) on Roadmap implementation delivered in six secondary cities. As part of its institutional strengthening efforts to ensure long-term sustainability of the program, GGGI will focus on improving the GoR’s capacity to implement the Roadmap at the national and district levels. GGGI will pilot a “Training of Trainers” approach to familiarize selected trainers with the implementation needs of the Roadmap such as integrating key actions in the DPPs. The results of this initial pilot will inform and strengthen the design of further capacity development interventions in relation to the Roadmap.