Kigali’s Breathtaking Beauty Captivates South Korean Audience as City Mayor Showcases Rwanda’s Transformation
In the heart of Africa, nestled among four majestic hills, lies a city that defies conventional expectations of urban development. Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, has become the subject of international fascination, recently capturing the attention of South Korean media and tourism experts during an exclusive interview with the city’s mayor, Samuel Dusengiyumva.
The Hills That Define a Capital
What makes Kigali truly unique isn’t just its rapid development or meticulous urban planning—it’s the very geography that cradles the city. The four iconic hills—Mount Kigali, Bumbogo, Jali, and Rebero—create a natural amphitheater that provides breathtaking panoramic views and defines the city’s character. These aren’t mere geographical features; they’re living monuments to Rwanda’s rich history, dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries during the reign of King Kigeli Mukobanya.
“When you stand in Kigali, you’re standing in a basin of natural beauty,” Mayor Dusengiyumva explained during his interview with Busan FM, a prominent South Korean radio station. “The hills aren’t just background scenery—they’re integral to our identity, offering perspectives that change with every turn and revealing why visitors find our city so captivating.”
International Spotlight on African Excellence
The mayor’s appearance on South Korean airwaves came during his participation in an international tourism conference in Busan, where city leaders from across the globe gathered to discuss urban tourism development strategies. For Dusengiyumva, the platform represented more than just another diplomatic engagement—it was an opportunity to showcase how a city once synonymous with tragedy has transformed into a model of African urban excellence.
“There’s a narrative about Africa that often goes untold,” Dusengiyumva noted, his voice carrying the conviction of someone who has witnessed transformation firsthand. “We’re not just participating in global conversations; we’re leading them in areas where we’ve demonstrated exceptional capability.”
The Cleanest City in Africa
Ask any visitor what strikes them most about Kigali, and the answer is nearly universal: its remarkable cleanliness. In a continent where urban centers often struggle with waste management, Kigali stands as a shining exception. The city’s immaculate streets, organized neighborhoods, and environmental consciousness have become its calling card, drawing comparisons to some of the world’s most well-maintained cities.
But how does a city achieve such standards? The answer lies in a combination of community engagement, effective governance, and what locals call “umuganda”—a monthly community cleanup day that brings citizens together to maintain their environment. This isn’t merely policy; it’s cultural practice, embedded in the social fabric of a nation determined to present its best face to the world.
Sports Diplomacy and Global Partnerships
Perhaps one of the most innovative aspects of Kigali’s global outreach has been its strategic use of sports partnerships. The “Visit Rwanda” campaign, featured prominently on the jerseys of some of Europe’s most famous football clubs—Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint Germain, and Atletico de Madrid—has placed the city and country firmly in the international consciousness.
“When we first proposed these partnerships, some questioned the investment,” Dusengiyumva recalled. “But what we’ve seen is that sports transcend boundaries. A fan in Seoul watching Arsenal play sees ‘Visit Rwanda’ and becomes curious. A basketball enthusiast in Busan notices our partnership with the NBA and starts researching. These aren’t just marketing deals; they’re bridges between cultures.”
The strategy has proven remarkably effective. Tourism numbers have shown consistent growth, with visitors often citing the sports partnerships as their initial introduction to Rwanda as a destination.
Hosting the World Stage
Kigali’s emergence as a conference hub represents another pillar of its development strategy. The city has successfully hosted numerous high-profile international events, including the UCI World Cycling Championships in September, the 73rd FIFA Congress, and CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting). These events do more than fill hotels and restaurants; they demonstrate Rwanda’s capability to organize world-class events and challenge preconceived notions about African nations.
“Every international conference is an opportunity to change minds,” Dusengiyumva explained. “When delegates arrive with certain expectations and leave with completely different impressions, that’s when we know we’re succeeding. They become our ambassadors, sharing stories of a city that defies their assumptions.”
The Transformation Narrative
No discussion of modern Rwanda can avoid addressing the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, where over one million people were brutally killed. The shadow of this tragedy looms large, but the story that Dusengiyumva emphasizes is one of remarkable recovery and resilience.
“We acknowledge our history, but we’re defined by our response to it,” he stated solemnly. “The Rwanda you see today—the cleanliness, the safety, the development—isn’t in spite of our past; it’s because of what we learned from it. We understand the value of unity, of good governance, of looking forward while never forgetting.”
This transformation has been recognized internationally, with Rwanda ranking 38th globally in ease of doing business—a remarkable achievement for any developing nation, let alone one with Rwanda’s history.
A Model of Urban Governance
What lessons can other cities, particularly in the developing world, learn from Kigali’s experience? According to Dusengiyumva, the foundation lies in visionary leadership and citizen engagement.
“President Paul Kagame’s leadership has been instrumental, but leadership alone isn’t enough,” he noted. “We’ve built systems that encourage citizen participation, that make people feel invested in their city’s success. When residents take pride in their environment, maintenance becomes natural, not enforced.”
The city’s approach to urban planning balances modern development with environmental consciousness. Green spaces are preserved, buildings adhere to aesthetic guidelines, and infrastructure develops in harmony with the natural landscape rather than in opposition to it.
The Korean Connection
The choice to engage with South Korean media specifically reflects strategic thinking. South Korea represents a nation that has itself undergone remarkable transformation—from postwar devastation to economic powerhouse. The parallels aren’t lost on Rwandan officials.
“We study success stories, and South Korea’s is particularly inspiring,” Dusengiyumva acknowledged. “Your journey from aid recipient to donor nation, from conflict to innovation hub—these are trajectories we find instructive. There’s much we can learn from each other.”
The mayor expressed hope for increased exchange between Busan and Kigali, suggesting that shared challenges around urban development, tourism, and economic transformation provide fertile ground for collaboration.
Beyond the City Limits
While Kigali serves as Rwanda’s showcase, Dusengiyumva was quick to note that visitors shouldn’t limit their experiences to the capital. The city acts as a gateway to the country’s diverse attractions—from mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park to Lake Kivu’s serene beaches and Akagera National Park’s big game.
“Kigali is your introduction to Rwanda, but the country has so much more to offer,” he encouraged. “We want visitors to use our city as a base, then explore the remarkable diversity of experiences available within a few hours’ drive.”
The Future of African Urbanism
As our conversation concluded, Mayor Dusengiyumva reflected on what Kigali represents in the broader context of African development. “For too long, the story of African cities has been one of challenges rather than opportunities. We’re writing a different narrative—one where African urban centers can be models of efficiency, cleanliness, and beauty.”
He sees Kigali not as an exception but as a precursor. “What we’ve achieved can be replicated, adapted, and improved upon across the continent. The resources, the human capital, the determination—it all exists. We’re just demonstrating what’s possible when these elements align with vision and integrity.”
A Lasting Impression
For the South Korean audience listening to the interview, the picture that emerged was of a city that transcends easy categorization. Kigali isn’t just another African capital; it’s a carefully crafted urban environment that honors its past while embracing its future, that respects its natural setting while implementing modern development, and that maintains local identity while engaging globally.
As Mayor Dusengiyumva signed off from his Busan FM interview, he left listeners with an invitation that resonated beyond mere tourism promotion: “Come see for yourselves. Don’t take my word for it. Experience a city that will challenge what you thought you knew about Africa, about transformation, about what’s possible when a people decide their future will be different from their past.”
In an era of global connectivity yet persistent stereotypes, Kigali stands as living proof that the most powerful stories aren’t just told—they’re built, maintained, and lived every day in the streets between four iconic hills.