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From Slum to Sanctuary: How Nyabisindu Is Becoming Kigali’s Next Model Community
n the heart of Kigali’s Remera Sector, a quiet revolution is underway. What was once a dense web of makeshift homes in Nyabisindu and its neighboring villages is being reimagined into a vibrant, dignified community—thanks to Rwanda’s bold expansion of the Mpazi Rehousing Model.
Following the successful completion of 688 modern units in Gitega Sector, the government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and the City of Kigali, has set its sights on Nyabisindu, Amarembo I & II, and Ibuhoro. The goal? To turn informal settlements into thriving, planned neighborhoods—without pushing residents out of the story.
A Housing Model Built on Fairness and Trust
Unlike traditional top-down resettlement projects, this model flips the script. Instead of eviction, it invites cooperation. Residents voluntarily contribute their land, and in return, they receive homes in newly built, modern communities—proportionate to their original holdings.
It’s not just a transaction; it’s a social contract rooted in equity.
“We are not just building homes; we are restoring dignity,” says Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore. “Every Rwandan deserves a decent place to live.”
The Vision: 1,639 Homes, 4 Villages, 1 New Future
This ambitious project spans 38.54 hectares and promises 1,639 dwelling units within one year—a scale that reflects both urgency and vision. Over 1,600 families will trade makeshift structures for safe, clean, and well-designed homes.
These aren’t just concrete walls. Each unit is part of a broader plan that includes:
- Schools to educate the next generation
- Marketplaces to foster local entrepreneurship
- Green zones for recreation and wellbeing
- Modern roads that connect people, services, and opportunity
It’s a blueprint for what 21st-century African urban living should look like—resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.
A People’s Project
This isn’t simply about infrastructure—it’s about lives transformed.
“We’ve lived in old houses for years,” shares Josiane Kanzayire, a resident of Nyabisindu. “Now we see a future for our children. It’s not just a new house—it’s a new life.”
That sentiment echoes through the community. Hope, once fragile, is now built into the foundations of these new homes.
Scaling a Success Story
The Mayor of Kigali, Samuel Dusengiyumva, sees this as more than a project. It’s a movement. “Nyabisindu marks a significant step in scaling up the Mpazi model across Kigali. In close collaboration with citizens, we’re creating resilient communities where no one is left behind.”
As the city grows, so does its conscience. This is Kigali’s promise: that progress will not leave behind those who built its past.
Final Word: Urban Development, the Rwandan Way
In a world where rapid urbanization often means displacement, Rwanda is offering a different path—one that centers dignity, fairness, and partnership.
Nyabisindu is more than a rehousing project. It’s a prototype for what the future of African cities can look like: people-first development that turns slums into sanctuaries and gives families more than shelter—it gives them a future.
