The City of Kigali says plans are underway to relocate Gisozi industrial zone (Gakiriro ka Gisozi), citing overcrowding, limited infrastructure, and persistent challenges in emergency response as key factors behind the proposal.
The industrial zone has repeatedly been affected by fire outbreaks, with authorities noting that response efforts are often delayed due to narrow access roads and congestion within the area. In some cases, firefighting operations have been significantly slowed as emergency vehicles struggle to reach affected sites.
Business operators within the area also highlight infrastructure constraints, particularly inadequate parking space and high levels of congestion caused by the growing number of traders and customers operating within a limited space. They say these challenges continue to affect business efficiency and movement within the industrial zone.
According to the City of Kigali, the facility has outgrown its original capacity and can no longer adequately accommodate the rising number of businesses operating there.
Deputy Mayor in charge of Infrastructure, Eng. Dusabimana Fulgence, said the current site was initially designed for far fewer users than it currently hosts.
“What was initially planned as a large industrial space has now seen the number of users increase more than four times compared to those who were originally relocated from the city center,” he said in an interview with RBA.
He added that the current 7-hectare site, along with additional adjacent land, remains insufficient to support the growing scale of operations and the infrastructure required to service them effectively.
He noted that nearby parcels of 19 hectares and 17 hectares could potentially be developed to accommodate industrial activities in a more organized and accessible environment.
Authorities say the current layout limits the development of proper road networks, which in turn affects service delivery, particularly emergency response times during fire outbreaks.
Despite the concerns, some stakeholders argue that relocation could be costly and disruptive, warning that it may result in financial losses for investors who have already built infrastructure, including multi-storey business structures, within the current site.
Discussions are ongoing as the City of Kigali considers long-term solutions aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and efficiency in industrial operations.
