Located in the heart of Rwanda, Kigali is more than just a capital city; it’s a shining example of cleanliness, innovation, and sustainable urban growth. Once a quiet administrative outpost, today Kigali has emerged as one of Africa’s most dynamic and forward-thinking cities, often compared to Singapore for its cleanliness and order. Back in 2018, Erik Solheim, then Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, declared Kigali “the cleanest city on the planet” and it’s not hard to see why.
Streets are spotless, litter is nearly non-existent, and green initiatives are woven into the fabric of daily life. Not only is it clean, but it’s also a thriving city with modern office buildings, new shopping centres, and eye-catching landmarks like the Kigali Convention Centre, a glowing architectural gem perched atop one of the city’s iconic hills.
A strict ban on plastic bags and single-use plastics, implemented in 2008, has played a major role in keeping the city clean
The city is filled with modern office towers and five-star hotels, sleek shopping centres, and striking landmarks. Kigali is also one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
The Central Business District stretches across Nyarugenge Hill, while Kacyiru Hill houses government institutions and international embassies, making Kigali an important hub for business and diplomacy.
No visit to Kigali is complete without stopping at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This profoundly moving site honours the more than one million lives lost during the 1994 genocide, and serves as an important site of remembrance.
From local markets like Kimironko Market, known for its fresh produce and handmade crafts, to the city’s thriving art scene at Inema Arts Center and Niyo Art Gallery, Kigali is a place where tradition, modern architecture and nature meet, with its red-roofed houses, lush greenery, and rolling hills offering spectacular views of the city.
One Reddit user called it the “most modern, tourist friendly, comfortable city in Africa” adding that “it’s practically the Singapore of Africa” and that “public transport is surprisingly good.”
Travel content creator, Daniel Pinto of @dnzh.travels wrote on Instagram: “Rwanda is often called the “Singapore of Africa” due to its cleanliness! In fact, every last Sunday of each month, the community comes together to clean Kigali, the capital city. I’ve been to 80% of the continent, and Rwanda is definitely the safest, most organised, and cleanest country!”
One person also wrote about the Kimironko Market on TripAdvisor: “This lovely market has everything..fruits and vegetables to meat and chicken, dress materials, local craft, electronic stuff, hardware, tailors…and everything! It was an absolute delight to walk through the market and we did buy a lot of local handicrafts from this place as it is very reasonably priced. “