The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 8, although physical construction activities had already started on August 30 as preparations for the project progressed.
The project is being implemented through a partnership between Rwanda and China, with China contributing about Rwf95 billion and Rwanda providing about Rwf35 billion towards the works.
It is expected to take about 30 months to complete and will transform the existing corridor into a modern multi-lane urban transport route.
The works include a flyover, underpasses, interchanges, bridges, drainage systems and street lighting, alongside the expansion of the road into a fully upgraded dual four-lane carriageway, with some sections reaching up to eight lanes.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi described the project as a major milestone in China-Rwanda cooperation, linking infrastructure development with economic growth and public welfare.
“The groundbreaking of this road carries great significance and far-reaching implications.It stands as a road of friendship embodying the shared aspiration of our two nations,” Amb. Gao said.
He noted that the project had been identified as a key bilateral initiative by Presidents Xi Jinping and Paul Kagame during Xi’s 2018 state visit to Rwanda.
The road will connect central Kigali with the Kigali Special Economic Zone, the new Bugesera International Airport and the Eastern Industrial Zone, while linking to the wider eastward transport corridor towards regional seaports.
“Upon completion, the road will effectively cut logistics and transportation costs and continuously boost business prosperity along its route,” he said.
The ambassador also highlighted the road’s expected role in improving access to the Masaka Medical Complex and surrounding communities, saying it would serve as an important link for medical services and urban mobility.
Amb. Gao also highlighted skills transfer through the “Luban Classroom – Road and Bridge” programme, which is being conducted at the construction site to provide Rwandan engineers and young workers with practical training and technical knowledge.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Col Claudien Bizimungu, said the project comes at a critical time as Kigali continues to expand and demand for efficient urban transport increases.
Col Bizimungu said the improvements are expected to reduce travel time, improve road safety and strengthen connectivity across the capital while providing better access to jobs, markets and essential services.
He acknowledged that construction would temporarily cause congestion and inconvenience to road users and urged the public to cooperate with traffic management measures and use designated alternative routes.
He also called on the contractor and relevant institutions to explore ways of completing the project before the scheduled 30-month contract period.
“The Government expects a high standard of quality, safety, accountability and value for money, while ensuring that the works are completed as quickly as possible,” Col Bizimungu said.
The project is being implemented in partnership with Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group.
Authorities have identified alternative traffic routes around Giporoso, Sonatube, Kimironko, Zindiro, Ndera, Gasogi, Kabuga, Kicukiro and surrounding areas to help manage traffic during construction.
The groundbreaking of the road project comes shortly after China handed over the newly renovated and expanded Masaka Hospital to Rwanda on August 28.
The facility, which cost 580 million Chinese yuan, equivalent to more than Rwf124 billion, will become the new home of the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), expected to relocate there by the end of 2026.
With 837 beds, 22 operating theatres and capacity for up to 2,000 outpatient visits a day, the hospital is the largest healthcare facility in Rwanda.
Both projects are part of the longstanding infrastructure and development cooperation between Rwanda and China.
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