Kigali Arena: a new epicentre of sport in East Africa

A project overseen by the Rwanda Housing Authority

The Rwanda Housing Authority is a public institution under the supervision of the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure. It oversees, organises and regulates the building of infrastructure in accordance with the Government’s town planning and sustainable development policies.

A project overseen by the Rwandan Ministry of Sport and Culture

The Ministry of Sport and Culture draws up and supports the implementation of policies and strategies related to the promotion of sport and culture in Rwanda, and places these two elements at the heart of the country’s development policy.

An initiative of the Rwandan authorities, the Kigali Arena complex is a modern structure opened by President Paul Kagame in August 2019, just six months after the building works first began. This 10,000-seater stadium will be used to host international, regional and local events in Kigali.

Context

Since the beginning of the 2000s, the city of Kigali, home to more than 1 million inhabitants, has undergone a profound, resolutely modern change. Different development plans have been introduced by the Government to meet the region’s socio-economic growth needs. One of the pillars of the Government’s Vision 2020 plan is the building and renovation of various sustainable infrastructures.

In this context, the Rwanda Housing Authority and the Ministry of Sport and Culture initiated the construction of the Kigali Arena, the largest multisport venue in East Africa. The complex will soon host the final stages of the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League as well as the Afrobasket 2021 tournament.

Goals

Participate in the economic and sporting development of Rwanda
Ensure broader access to sport in Rwanda
Position Kigali and Rwanda as the leading sports hub in the East African region
Develop a strong legacy component to ensure the sustainability of facilities that benefit the local communities

Activities

Organisation of international, regional and local sporting competitions (including school and corporate sports)
Variety of sports available (basketball, volleyball, boxing, tennis, futsal, etc.)
Hosting of cultural events (exhibitions, concerts, etc.)
Venue capacity: 10,000 seats

Watch a video about the Kigali Arena (source : SUMMA)

Impacts

Positioning Rwanda as a sports and events hub in East Africa
Infrastructure built in the context of a sustainable city to the benefit of school and professional sports ecosystems
1,068 Rwandan and 541 Turkish workers involved in the building of the site

Financement

Project cost: around $104 million
Public-private partnership (PPP) involving the Rwanda Housing Authority, the Ministry of Sport and Culture and the Turkish company SUMMA

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