Sustainable cities in the East African Community
The Green City sector in the EAC is worth several billion dollars, supported by Vision 2050 and annual urban population growth averaging 4–5%. Investment is directed towards climate-resilient infrastructure, circular models that turn waste into valuable resources, and projects such as Green City Kigali in Rwanda.
Key facts
Renewable energy: The supplied material gives a 25% baseline for access to electricity grids and modern energy in 2025. It projects that more than 50% of urban electricity will come from solar, hydropower and geothermal sources by 2030. Regional energy plans and the expansion of home and rooftop solar systems support this development.
Electric mobility and green transport: Electric vehicles accounted for 5% of commercial transport fleets in 2025. The supplied material projects 15–25% fleet penetration for electric motorcycles and the integration of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems by 2030, supported by tax incentives.
Green construction: In 2025, 10–15% of new commercial buildings met green standards. The projected share in formal building projects is 30–40% by 2030, supported by environmentally friendly materials and local planning regulations.
Waste management: Formal circular recovery of solid waste stood at 20% in 2025. The supplied material projects that 45–50% of waste will be diverted to recycling and energy recovery by 2030, through private-sector cooperation and municipal programmes for green jobs. Is this relevant to your business? Contact SWEACC.
