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New builds and off-plan

# New Development in Kigali

Kigali's newest apartments, villas and mixed-use projects, from active developers, with the same verification standard we apply to resale property.

- Title verified
- Escrow-friendly process
- Virtual viewings
- Power of attorney supported

New development property in Kigali spans everything from single new-build houses to larger apartment and mixed-use projects still under construction. It's a growing share of what's available in premium neighbourhoods where existing land has become scarce, and it comes with its own set of considerations distinct from buying an existing, finished property.

## What's available right now

Our current new-development listings include a lakefront villa project on Lake Muhazi and a new apartment development in Kacyiru — see new development properties for current availability, or apartments and villas specifically.

## New development versus resale property

Factor | New development | Resale property
--- | --- | ---
Condition | New, unused, modern specifications | Varies by age and maintenance
Price | Sometimes lower entry pricing pre-completion | Reflects current market value directly
Risk profile | Construction and delivery-timeline risk | Title and physical-condition risk
Customisation | Sometimes possible pre-completion | Not applicable
Payment structure | Staged against construction milestones | Staged against transaction milestones

## Two paths into new development

- Property development in Rwanda — for buyers and investors evaluating the broader development landscape, including construction-linked investment.
- Off-plan property buying — the specific process and risks of committing to a unit before it's built.

## Financing a new development purchase

Payment for new development units is typically structured as a series of instalments tied to construction progress rather than a single upfront payment or a conventional mortgage — Rwanda's mortgage market exists but remains less developed than in some markets, so most buyers, local and diaspora alike, fund purchases through savings, staged payment plans offered directly by the developer, or a combination of both. Confirm the specific financing options accepted before committing to a project.

## Verification still applies

A common misconception is that new development doesn't need the same due diligence as resale property. It does — arguably more, since you're also assessing the developer's track record and the underlying land title alongside the building itself. Our due diligence process applies fully to new development purchases.

## Questions to ask before reserving a unit

Beyond the developer's track record, ask specifically what happens if the project timeline slips, whether the payment schedule is tied to independently verifiable milestones or simply a calendar, and what the contract says about your options if you need to exit before completion. A developer confident in their own delivery will generally answer these directly rather than deflecting to marketing material.

## Building your own instead of buying into a development

If you'd rather buy land and build to your own specification instead of purchasing into an existing development, see our buy and build section, starting with buying land in Rwanda.

Ready to look at what's available? Browse current new developments, or contact us about upcoming projects not yet publicly listed.

FAQ

## Frequently Asked Questions

Is buying off-plan riskier than buying a finished property?

It carries different risks — primarily construction and delivery-timeline risk rather than the physical-condition risk of a finished property. See our off-plan buying guide for how to evaluate a specific project before committing.

Do new developments in Kigali require full payment upfront?

No — most developers structure payment against construction milestones, similar in principle to the payment schedules we recommend for any property purchase. Terms vary by developer and should be reviewed carefully before signing.

Can diaspora buyers purchase off-plan units remotely?

Yes, and it's common — off-plan purchases are naturally suited to remote buying since there's no finished property to physically inspect before an agreed construction stage regardless of where the buyer lives.

What happens if a development is delayed or not completed?

This is the central risk of off-plan buying, which is why reviewing the developer's track record, the payment schedule's alignment with construction milestones, and the contract's remedies for delay matters more here than for a finished-property purchase.

## Interested in a new development unit?

See current developments or ask us about upcoming projects not yet publicly listed.

View New Developments