Rwandan authorities on Tuesday unveiled an upgraded digital platform, KUBAKA 2.0, designed to streamline the building permit process and support the country’s new urban development strategy.
The new system, developed to implement Rwanda’s recently approved National Urbanization Policy, is integrated with eight other government platforms, including Irembo, RDB, NIDA, and the Rwanda Revenue Authority. Officials say this interconnectivity has significantly improved service delivery.
Since its soft launch in December 2024, KUBAKA 2.0 has led to a 30% increase in the speed of permit approvals and cut associated costs and processing times by up to 70%. Tasks that once took two hours now take less than 10 minutes due to simplified requirements and digital verification.
“This platform marks a major step forward in how we deliver services to our citizens,” said Kigali City Mayor Samuel Dusengimana. “It reduces time, cost, and opportunities for corruption.”
The original digital permit system, introduced in 2016, had faced criticism for inefficiencies and delays, which officials now say have been addressed in this updated version.
Innocent Muhizi, Director General of the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), noted that the new platform is designed to detect operational flaws and will continue to be improved to ensure reliability.
The system is part of Rwanda’s broader urban transformation agenda. In February 2025, the Cabinet approved a new National Urbanization Policy, replacing the 2015 framework. The policy projects that 52.7% of Rwandans will live in urban areas by 2035, up from 27.9% in 2022 and 18.2% in 2017.
Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore said the success of KUBAKA 2.0 is central to managing this urban shift. “We are building systems today to support the cities of tomorrow,” he said.
