Rwanda has been selected as one of three Sub-Saharan African countries to receive a share of $22 million aimed at improving flood resilience in urban areas. The funding will support initiatives in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia; Kigali, Rwanda; and Johannesburg, South Africa, with a specific focus on helping vulnerable communities adapt to climate change.
In Rwanda, the project will prioritize the restoration of the lower Nyabarongo River watershed, which is critical for reducing the risks associated with flooding, landslides, and soil erosion. The targeted restoration efforts will take place in the Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, and Gasabo districts, as confirmed by officials from the City of Kigali.
Kigali faces significant climate challenges, including frequent flooding and landslides, exacerbated by the region’s steep topography and rapid urban growth. The districts of Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, and Gasabo are particularly vulnerable due to their hilly terrain, which places many homes at risk of natural disasters.
The project will implement gender-sensitive, nature-based solutions to restore watersheds, riparian zones, and urban green spaces, directly addressing threats such as flooding, landslides, extreme heat, and biodiversity loss. Notably, the initiative aims to ensure that at least 50% of beneficiaries are women, marking a shift in existing social norms related to climate adaptation.
Key interventions will include afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, and urban tree planting, which together aim to enhance the resilience of approximately 975,000 residents in Kigali.
Kigali Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva emphasized the importance of community-driven environmental initiatives, stating that the new project will complement the City of Kigali’s campaign to plant three million trees. He highlighted that the initiative will facilitate urban tree planting through 2026, creating over 5,000 green jobs in the process.
Led by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) and funded by Global Affairs Canada, the project aims to restore critical watershed areas and mitigate the risks of flooding, landslides, and soil erosion in Kigali. Local partners will be responsible for implementing the initiative.
