Why is Rwanda's Kigali City So clean? How do they get it done?

Why Is Rwanda's Kigali City So Clean? How Do They Get It Done?

By Cleaner-Kenya

Kigali’s status as Africa’s cleanest city is a testament to what can be achieved when a government and its people align around a shared objective. Through Umuganda, stringent policies, professional systems, and a culture of pride, Rwanda has turned its capital into a shining example of urban excellence. While challenges persist, Kigali’s success offers valuable lessons for cities worldwide: cleanliness is not just about removing dirt—it’s about building a society that values its environment and its future. For Cleaner-Kenya, Kigali stands as a beacon, proving that with the right strategies, any city can scrub up and shine.

A Vision of Transformation

Kigali’s journey to cleanliness is deeply rooted in Rwanda’s broader post-genocide reconstruction efforts. Following the devastating 1994 genocide, which left the country in ruins—both physically and socially—Rwanda embarked on an ambitious path to rebuild. Under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, the government prioritized creating a modern, orderly, and prosperous nation. A clean capital city became a tangible symbol of this vision, reflecting discipline, unity, and progress.

The transformation of Kigali began with a clear intent to move away from the chaos of the past. Streets once littered with debris and destruction are now lined with manicured gardens, swept pavements, and functional waste management systems. This shift required a combination of top-down policies and grassroots participation, creating a synergy that has proven highly effective.

The Role of Umuganda: Community-Driven Cleanliness

One of the cornerstones of Kigali’s cleanliness is Umuganda, a mandatory community service program held on the last Saturday of each month. The term Umuganda translates to “coming together in common purpose” in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda’s national language. From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., all able-bodied citizens between the ages of 18 and 65 are required to participate in activities that benefit their communities, with street cleaning being a primary focus in urban areas like Kigali.

During Umuganda, shops close, traffic halts, and residents gather to sweep streets, clear bushes, pick up litter, and maintain public spaces. Beyond cleaning, the program fosters social cohesion, allowing citizens to discuss local issues and plan collective projects, such as building homes for the vulnerable or planting trees. Non-participation can result in fines, though compliance is high due to a ingrained sense of civic duty. This monthly ritual has instilled a culture of responsibility, ensuring that Kigali’s streets remain free of trash and that residents take pride in their environment.

Strict Environmental Policies: The Plastic Ban

Rwanda’s pioneering environmental policies have significantly contributed to Kigali’s cleanliness. In 2008, the country became one of the first in Africa to ban the manufacture, importation, sale, and use of plastic bags—a bold move that addressed a major source of urban litter. This ban was later expanded in 2019 to include single-use plastics like bottles and straws. The Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) enforces these regulations rigorously, imposing fines of up to $150 and jail terms of 6 to 12 months for violators. At Kigali’s airport, plastic bags are confiscated from arriving passengers, signaling the seriousness of the policy.

The absence of plastic waste has dramatically reduced litter in Kigali. Where other cities struggle with plastic clogging drains and littering streets, Kigali’s ban has eliminated this pervasive pollutant, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and environmental health. The government has also promoted alternatives, such as biodegradable bags, to ensure practicality without compromising cleanliness.

Institutional Support: Professional Cleaning and Waste Management

While community efforts like Umuganda are vital, Kigali’s cleanliness is bolstered by a robust system of professional cleaning services. The City of Kigali contracts private companies to maintain roads, public spaces, and waste collection. Teams of sweepers work in shifts, often starting as early as 4 a.m., to ensure streets are spotless before the city awakens. At night, trucks equipped with sweeping and mopping capabilities clean major highways, removing dust and mud, particularly during the rainy season.

Waste management is another critical component. Households and businesses pay a modest public cleaning tax—approximately 2,000 Rwandan Francs (about $2) per month for families and 10,000 Rwandan Francs (about $10) for businesses—to fund regular trash collection. Designated collection points across the city ensure waste is disposed of efficiently, though challenges remain, as only about 24% of Kigali’s solid waste is legally disposed of at the Nyanza landfill. Nevertheless, the structured system minimizes illegal dumping and keeps public areas tidy.

Cultural Shift and Public Awareness

Beyond policies and infrastructure, Kigali’s cleanliness reflects a profound cultural shift. Rwandans have embraced hygiene as a point of national pride, often citing their city’s status as “cleaner than New York or London.” This pride is reinforced through education and awareness campaigns. Schools teach children about environmental responsibility, and public initiatives promote the benefits of a clean city, from health improvements to economic advantages like tourism and investment.

The government’s emphasis on discipline and rule of law also plays a role. Littering fines, ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 Rwandan Francs ($10 to $100), deter careless behavior. However, such penalties are rarely needed, as the populace has internalized the value of maintaining their surroundings. This mindset shift—from viewing cleanliness as a burden to seeing it as a collective achievement—has been instrumental in sustaining Kigali’s pristine condition.

Socio-Economic Benefits: Empowering Communities

The pursuit of cleanliness has also yielded socio-economic dividends, particularly for women. Many of Kigali’s street cleaners are organized into cooperatives, providing stable employment to individuals like Zahara Nyiramajyambere, a cleaner who starts her day at 6 a.m. For her, the job offers more than a paycheck—it provides credibility and financial independence, enabling her to support her family. The Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority has licensed nearly 200 such cleaning companies, many employing women relocated from informal settlements, turning a cleanliness initiative into a tool for empowerment.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its success, Kigali’s cleanliness model is not without controversy. Critics, including human rights organizations, have pointed to the heavy-handed tactics sometimes used to achieve it. The relocation of slum dwellers to make way for urban development and the detention of “undesirables”—such as street vendors and beggars—in facilities like the Gikondo Transit Center have raised concerns about social costs. These measures, intended to maintain order and aesthetics, have been accused of prioritizing appearances over individual rights.

Additionally, waste management remains a work in progress. While Kigali’s streets are clean, the broader challenge of sustainable disposal and recycling requires further investment and innovation. Nevertheless, the city’s achievements far outweigh these hurdles, offering a blueprint for others to study.

How They Get It Done: A Holistic Approach

Kigali’s cleanliness is the product of a multifaceted strategy:

1. Community Participation: Umuganda mobilizes citizens as active stewards of their environment.
2. Policy Enforcement: Bans on plastics and strict regulations set a high standard for cleanliness.
3. Professional Services: Contracted cleaners and waste management systems ensure consistent upkeep.
4. Cultural Pride: Education and awareness have fostered a societal commitment to hygiene.
5. Leadership Vision: Government resolve has driven the transformation from the top.

This holistic approach has not only kept Kigali clean but also positioned it as a source of inspiration. Often dubbed the “Switzerland of Africa,” the city demonstrates that with determination, coordination, and collective effort, urban cleanliness is an attainable goal—even for a developing nation.