# Aisa Kirabo Kacyira

Aisa Kirabo Kacyira is a Rwandese diplomat who was Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme from 2011 to 2018. In this capacity, she has played a significant role in developing sustainable cities and human settlements across the world, working closely with both governmental and non-governmental organizations. She was formerly the Governor of the Eastern Province of Rwanda, and was the Mayor of Kigali from 2006 to 2011.
Currently she is Head of UN Support Office in Somalia .

# Quotes

* The business trip is significant to the recovery of businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
** They will also explore business opportunities in Ghana, interact with fellow entrepreneurs and seek together how to market their products in the global market. Igihe.com (On 19 October 2021)
* Urbanization is not an accident, it is not something that is falling on us, it is something that we can think of, plan, lead in the way we want, and get us where we want.
** Dr Aisa KIRABO KACYIRA Center for liveable cities (July 26, 2018)
* My Mission in life has been maybe not so much to focus on myself as on the difference I make to the people I serve.
** Dr Aisa Kirabo Kacyira 2017 Outstanding Alumni Award Winner JCU: James Cook University, Australia (September 28, 2017)
* We need to ensure that the process of engagement, will finally capture the key issues and guide the policy in a manner that captures the views of the people and provide values on research that will enable the urbanization to be implemented.
** Dr Aisa Kirabo Kacyira Interview with CLC (July 12, 2017)
* For urbanization to be successful and transform the lives of people, it has to be accompanied by several factors, which include planning by local government authorities and the engagement of people.
** Africa Economic outlook Groupe de la Banque Africaine de Development (23 May 2016)
* Often time people are marginalized in the process, and we are now seeing the process of development in the cities being characterized with slums due to lack of planning.
** Said Aisa Kirabo African Development Fund (23 May 2016)
* Planning is about doing it with people, and cities can become sustainable with careful planning. The bigger the city, the more it becomes susceptible to problems. Another factor to consider also is the need to address land governance issues when planning for the development of a city.
** Said Aisa Kirabo African Development Fund (23 May 2016)
* Ethiopia is one example where the housing projects in Addis Ababa have been used to create jobs.
** Said Aisa Kirabo African Development Fund (23 May 2016)
* Time has not deemed the memory of our loved ones. It has instead given us more resolve to live up the values they cherished and aspired to achieve.
** Kwibuka26 In Ghana:Time Hasn’t Dimmed Memory Of Our Loved Ones – Dr. Kirabo Kacyira. KTPress. (April 2020)
* For it is through your willingness to forgive and move on that enabled us all as Rwandans, to embrace unity and reconciliation.
** Kwibuka26 In Ghana:Time Hasn’t Dimmed Memory Of Our Loved Ones – Dr. Kirabo Kacyira. KTPress. (April 2020)
* singlehandedly stopped the Genocide as the International community looked on.
** Kwibuka26 In Ghana:Time Hasn’t Dimmed Memory Of Our Loved Ones – Dr. Kirabo Kacyira. KTPress. (April 2020)
* To this young men and women who sacrificed their lives to undertake an almost insurmountable task and against all odds stopped the Genocide and liberated the country some paying the ultimate price, we shall never forget you.
** Kwibuka26 In Ghana:Time Hasn’t Dimmed Memory Of Our Loved Ones – Dr. Kirabo Kacyira. KTPress. (April 2020)
* To learn from, and not being defined by our Past.
** Kwibuka26 In Ghana:Time Hasn’t Dimmed Memory Of Our Loved Ones – Dr. Kirabo Kacyira. KTPress. (April 2020)
* The role of local leadership in establishing all these principles cannot be over-emphasized.
** “Africa’s Urban Infrastructure Must Be People-Centered” - says Kacyira. UNHabitat. (May 2015)
* Provision of urban infrastructure must not be an exclusive preserve but more importantly it should be people-centered.
** “Africa’s Urban Infrastructure Must Be People-Centered” - says Kacyira. UNHabitat. (May 2015)
* Governments need to build infrastructure in intermediate towns and villages for sustainability since much of the continent’s population is still rural, much depending on agriculture.
** “Africa’s Urban Infrastructure Must Be People-Centered” - says Kacyira. UNHabitat. (May 2015)
* Africa can focus on trading in agriculture to transform the continent.
** African countries must take advantage of AfCFTA to increase trade– Rwanda High Commissioner to Ghana. B&FT Online. (October 2020)
* Relations between Rwanda and Benin are already very good and we are inspired by the commitment and visionary leadership of our Presidents.
** Rwandan Envoy Kacyira Presents Credentials in Benin. AllAfrica. (July 2021)
* With such conducive environment, the ball is in our court; public servants, diplomats, the private sector, media and civil society to work hand in hand as one and deliver the best results.
** Rwandan Envoy Kacyira Presents Credentials in Benin. AllAfrica. (July 2021)
* We as Team Rwanda are ready to closely work with Team Benin as one, and together we shall deliver.
** Rwandan Envoy Kacyira Presents Credentials in Benin. AllAfrica. (July 2021)
* “Please consider the High Commission as partners and not just diplomats so we can both learn from each other.
** Rwandan High Commissioner to Ghana calls on GSA Director-General. Ghana News Agency. (October 2021)
* Ghana and Rwanda share common development agenda and aspirations and we have to explore them to promote trade between two countries.
** Let's explore business opportunities to increase trade - Rwanda High Commissioner. Ghanian Times. (October 2020)
* The etablishment of a Rwandan High commission in Ghana demonstrates our commitment to promote trade between the two countries.
** Let's explore business opportunities to increase trade - Rwanda High Commissioner. Ghanian Times. (October 2020)
* The AfCFTA is doable. But we first have to address the bottlenecks and barriers to trade to promote trade on the African continent.
** Let's explore business opportunities to increase trade - Rwanda High Commissioner. Ghanian Times. (October 2020)
* It is about creating relationships and partnerships in the face of expanding intra-Africa tourism and trade.
** Ghana, Rwanda Explore Trade and Investment Opportunities to Boost Economies. Expo Group. (April 2021)
* As a High Commission, which was established last year in the middle of this pandemic, we have been able to make these strides, not only by our effort, but largely by this spirit and teamwork, and I want to reassure you that we are here to stay and fully committed to continue serving and facilitating this cause unreservedly.
** Ghana-Rwanda relations catalyst for trade, investment — Rwanda High Commissioner. Business Ghana. (June 2021)
* Kigali is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa and we are committed to ensuring future growth is based on very good planning.
** How Kigali Went from from Sleepy Backwater to Africa's Singapore. MediaIndia. (August 2010)
* This will not be achieved unless we transform from a subsistence agriculture economy to a knowledge-based society.
** How Kigali Went from from Sleepy Backwater to Africa's Singapore. MediaIndia. (August 2010)
* As beautiful and as sustainable.
** How Kigali Went from from Sleepy Backwater to Africa's Singapore. MediaIndia. (August 2010)
* This report takes us in a new, exciting direction as its subtitle The Geography of African Investment makes clear. Instead of focusing on urban planning, this 2018 State of African cities report explores how Africa can plan to finance its development through attracting foreign direct investment (or FDI) to its cities and guides us through the complex subject of global investment in Africa.
** Foreign direct investment key to Africa’s development, UN-Habitat report says. Tralac. (July 2018)
* As we know, Africa is urbanizing at an extraordinary rate – with tens of thousands moving to cities every day. Half of the continent is expected to be living in cities by 2030 bringing the familiar challenges – unplanned urbanization, informal settlements, poverty, inequality, unemployment humanitarian crises, conflict.
** Foreign direct investment key to Africa’s development, UN-Habitat report says. Tralac. (July 2018)
* If I have a problem with a man I’m working with, I don’t say, ‘Oh, men.’ If I say that I’m lumping together the whole constituency of men. I try to identify the specific problem with that particular person and address him as one man, so that the others who maybe don’t share that prob­lem will not be brought on board unnecessarily. Then the rest of the team will actually help us out of it. That builds trust.
** Rwandan Women Rising Discussion Guide. Inclusive Security. (June 2017)
* I’ve had situations where I had to choose between my pride and my coun­try.
** Rwandan Women Rising Discussion Guide. Inclusive Security. (June 2017)
* In the case of that man, I need to make him comfortable, to let him realize it’s not about his manhood but about an issue. Often when there’s a dispute, it’s about the person feeling challenged by a woman. Or maybe how we’re discussing it. I may need to go a bit lower, so that he has space to come up. Then I must make sure that when he’s starting to come up, I don’t let others pull him back down. If I make it a specific issue and the rest get on board, we all come up.
** Rwandan Women Rising Discussion Guide. Inclusive Security. (June 2017)
* I always pray to God that I never, ever think I’m indispensable, because that will be the beginning of my failing. I’m part of a team. Sure, important, but not indispensable.
** Rwandan Women Rising Discussion Guide. Inclusive Security. (June 2017)
* So however tough that man might be, he’s actually working to make me better. I see a lot of opportunity in that. On the other hand, there are so many other men around me who are out to help me, whom I may not see if I’m defensive. Ultimately, it’s about my attitude.
** Rwandan Women Rising Discussion Guide. Inclusive Security. (June 2017)
* If we proactively plan and lead cities to get us where we want, [urbanization] will be probably the most affordable tool to get us there.
** Women leaders at the centre of climate action. Relief Web. (November 2017)
* That singular act is now etched in history and it is a permanent reminder of the bonds of friendship which frame our long-standing relations.
** Women leaders at the centre of climate action. Relief Web. (November 2017)
* We are here to serve and to make a difference in the lives of our people that our two governments are very much committed to.
** Women leaders at the centre of climate action. Relief Web. (November 2017)
* You can never give love when you have never been loved.
** Strength in sisterhood. The Journal Record. (April 2010)
* But you can be assured that the seeds of love transcend everything that will be challenging.
** Strength in sisterhood. The Journal Record. (April 2010)
* We have made a choice to be different, so that our environment is in the best interest of the public and will not be corrupted by personal interests, so that what we do will stand the test of time.
** Strength in sisterhood. The Journal Record. (April 2010)
* I wake up every day and ask God to give me the wisdom to help me create an environment that helps his people so they can do their best.
** Strength in sisterhood. The Journal Record. (April 2010)
* You are graduating at a time of great opportunity when the implementation of the intra-African Trade is in full gear.
** Youth encouraged to cultivate and maintain core values for success. Sweet Melodies FM. (November 2021)
* You can dream and create to great horizon if you allow yourselves to see how to complement one another with the diversity in art and creativity from the different countries on our continent and beyond.
** Youth encouraged to cultivate and maintain core values for success. Sweet Melodies FM. (November 2021)
* With the fourth industrial revolution unwinding and the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that the future is digital and technology-driven.
** Youth encouraged to cultivate and maintain core values for success. Sweet Melodies FM. (November 2021)
* I’m glad you people are in the media and your work is to speak and write. We have a better connection to the people through you. People need to know and we need their full support.
** Rwanda: Street Children to Be Taken to Rehab Centres. Street Children News. (March 2007)
* besides financing, there is the need for planning and the right technical expertise on the city level for sustainable urban development.
** Cities need to institutionalize investment promotion and facilitation to attract investment for development. UNCTAD. (July 2016)
* Implementing the Master Plan is a process. First there has to be a common understanding in the community because we have stakeholders in the development of the city. The communities, politicians and the investment community all need to come on board.
** Rwanda in 50-year expansion plan for Kigali. The East African. (February 2011)
* When you talk about the plan, the first question most investors ask is how easy it will be to access good roads, sewage system, electricity and water.
** Rwanda in 50-year expansion plan for Kigali. The East African. (February 2011)
* Holding the title of Mayor is not enough; if you do not have the resources and capacities at local level, especially in urban governance.
** Local and regional governments focus on localizing the SDGs during the #EDD17. UCLG. (June 2017)
* It’s only through inclusive growth that the city dwellers can do their best, otherwise they become passive recipients or even a cause of risk to development.
** Local and regional governments focus on localizing the SDGs during the #EDD17. UCLG. (June 2017)
* A recent study by the World Bank indicated that if urbanization is unplanned, we leave it to go the way it is, and we come to correct it, often it’s not less than nine times the cost financially of doing it proactively. And that’s even without the political and social complications of trying to reorganize a chaotically-settled urbanization process.
** LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CORE OF RISK REDUCTION. Prevention Web. (July 2015)
* In our quest to address the issue of urban poverty by giving aid, we have not adequately tapped in to the potential existing even in informal settlements.
** LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CORE OF RISK REDUCTION. Prevention Web. (July 2015)
* we chose to unite, reconcile and rebuild our nation with a common vision and strive to think big
** Said by Aisa Kirabo Kacyiraktpress (July 30, 2022)