Rwanda studies a National Housing Fund to meet demand for 150,000 homes a year

Rwanda is exploring the creation of a National Housing Fund as it looks for ways to finance an estimated need for 150,000 new homes a year, Vision Media reported on 15 October 2026. A delegation from the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) is on a six-day study visit to Zimbabwe.

The delegation, led by RHA deputy director general Noel Nsanzineza, met Zimbabwe's Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Professor Paul Mavima, in Harare on 14 October. Talks covered construction costs, access to finance, private-sector participation and the maintenance of housing estates.

Nsanzineza said Rwanda uses a public-private partnership model in which the government lowers developers' costs by providing infrastructure such as internal roads, electricity and water, while private developers build the homes. He said a National Housing Fund is under consideration, but no decision to set one up was announced.

The visit takes place under a memorandum of understanding on affordable low- to medium-cost housing and new building technologies that Rwanda and Zimbabwe signed in Harare on 16 May 2023. The programme includes visits to the Dzivaresekwa Extension, Madokero and Knock Mallock housing developments.

For developers and investors, a dedicated fund could change how affordable housing projects are financed in Rwanda. The Affordable Housing Programme guide on this site explains the current incentives and eligibility rules.