Kigali, the Capital City of Rwanda
It is located in the Centre of Rwanda and extends across several hills and valleys, with good road
links to the rest of the country. It is vibrant with business, with just over one million
inhabitants. It is well known for its well-manicured plants and clean streets
Kigali is a relatively new city, founded as an administrative outpost in 1907, and became the
capital of the country at independence in 1962, shifting focus away from Huye. It features a
burgeoning art scene, as well as a growing number of options to dine out and have a few drinks,
many with charming panoramic views. The Kigali Cultural Village offers a dedicated space for
local artisans and food vendors to exhibit and trade their goods.
Kigali also has developed rapidly, with new shopping malls, office buildings and a world-class
convention Centre built in the style of the King’s Palace of olden days, which lights up the
night sky atop of one of the many hills. The central business district covers Nyarugenge Hill
while the government and administrative quarter is further east on Kacyiru Hill. It is also
host to the Kigali Genocide which, through education and peace-building, honors the memory of
the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994. The three permanent exhibitions and burial
gardens form part of a meaningful tribute to those who perished, and provide a powerful
educational tool for visitors. Kigali is also home to Kanombe International Airport.
