Green Climate Fund Approves $28M Green City Kigali Project in Rwanda
This week, the Green Climate Fund Board gave the green light to the Green City Kigali Project, a $28 million initiative proposed by Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment. The project aims to serve as a blueprint for sustainable urban development by showcasing climate-resilient, low-emission infrastructure.
Rwanda is experiencing rapid urbanization, which is exacerbating climate variability and leading to increased heat and unpredictable heavy rainfall. This has resulted in frequent floods and landslides in informal peri-urban areas around Kigali, causing destruction of homes, infrastructure, and loss of lives.
In response to these challenges, the Government of Rwanda is committed to redefining public investments to address climate risks faced by its urban population. The Green City Kigali Masterplan for Kinyinya Hill will feature climate-resilient infrastructure and decentralized low-carbon services, along with vocational training opportunities for the community to participate in the green transformation.
The Green City Kigali Project will enable Rwanda to shift towards climate-compatible development and invest in enhancing resilience for both current and future residents. The project aims to mitigate the impact of flooding, landslides, and loss of livelihoods and lives in the region. The funding proposal was developed with support from the Project Preparation Facility.
