From April 21 to 29, 2026, the Senate Committee on Economy and Finance is conducting field visits to 11 industrial zones across the country to assess progress in addressing infrastructure challenges affecting their development.
The visits follow a Senate resolution urging the Government to expedite the provision of essential infrastructure in industrial zones, where gaps such as limited access to roads, electricity, and water, as well as the presence of residential settlements within designated areas, have been identified.
The primary objective of the mission is to evaluate progress made so far, identify persistent challenges, and review measures already taken or planned to address them. The initiative aims to support more effective industrial development and boost investment across the sector.
Recent reports, including the 2023 report by the Auditor General, indicate that while the Kigali Special Economic Zone is fully operational, many other industrial zones remain either partially operational or lack critical infrastructure. The reports also highlighted concerns such as residents still living within industrial zones and the establishment of some industries without prior environmental impact assessments.
During the visits, Senators will tour all eleven industrial zones and engage with zone management and industrial operators to gain first-hand insight into their current status and operational challenges.
In preparation for the field mission, Senators held consultations with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) through the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR), and the Private Sector Federation (PSF), particularly representatives from the industrial cluster.
The findings from these visits are expected to provide a comprehensive picture of the state of industrial zones and inform appropriate policy and implementation measures to address existing gaps, with the aim of strengthening a sector that plays a vital role in Rwanda’s economic growth.
