Poverty profile and efforts to access basic household needs in an emerging city: a mixed-method study in Kigali’s informal urban settlements, Rwanda

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study discusses the profile of poverty and the opportunities impacting the life of the poor living in informal settlements within Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. We used a mixed-method cross-sectional study design with a random sample of 1,152 households and focus group discussions with community leaders. Findings reveal that some residents of informal settlements in Kigali tend to remain in poverty with inadequate access to education and sub-standard healthcare services despite the existing pro-poor policies, including the provision of water and efforts to clean the neighbourhoods. The available income-generating activities for the poor are predominantly informal, poorly paid, and with little long-term developmental benefits. Households headed by widowed, divorced, or separated women and newly settled households are particularly vulnerable. Qualitative data suggests that social cohesion and mutual social support within the community are utilized as survival strategies by the poor, besides running small and usually illegal businesses. The study concludes that the poor have difficulties in accessing services for which payment in money is required, including paying for children’s education, access to healthcare services, and rental fees. The challenges can be addressed by improved access to schools and government services, employment alternatives, and assistance to the most vulnerable.