The expansion was officially launched on August 30, 2026, although preparatory works had begun nine months earlier. The project is being implemented by Chinese company Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Company.
Among the works already completed is the widening and compaction of sections that will temporarily carry traffic as construction of the elevated section gets underway.
At Prince House, the starting point of the project, the road has been widened on both sides of the existing carriageway near the intersection leading towards Remera Bus Park. The newly widened sections have been compacted and are expected to carry traffic while the elevated road is being built.
Drainage works are still underway on the upper side of this section.
Further down the road, below Zigama CSS, a stone retaining wall above the road has been completed, while the section below it has also been compacted.
Another widened and compacted section runs from SABANS Pharmacy past Hilltop Hotel towards the intersection connecting to Kanombe and the road to an area known as ‘Kuri 15’ .
Traffic continues to use the existing tarmac section in the middle. From this intersection towards ‘Kuri 15’, trees along the upper side of the road have been cleared to make room for the expansion, although earthworks have not yet started.
Meanwhile, machinery is currently compacting the section running past Hilltop Hotel towards the Kanombe intersection.
Businesses expect new opportunities
Businesses along the road say they expect the project to bring more customers and create opportunities for expansion once construction is completed.
Ngabo Désiré, who runs Come Again bar near the road, said the project’s proximity to Kigali International Airport could increase the number of people visiting the area.
“This place is close to the airport, so the project will increase the number of people coming here. We plan to expand our services, construct a multi-storey building and add accommodation facilities. Being closer to the road will also be an advantage,” he said.
Iragena Rebecca, who manages a restaurant near SABANS, said the business has already recorded a 10% increase in customers, partly due to workers involved in the road project.
She said meals that previously took time to sell now often run out, sometimes requiring the restaurant to prepare additional food.
Ndikumana Zachée, manager of Epimac Resto & Coffee Shop, said traffic has declined in some areas because activities and structures have been removed to facilitate construction. However, he expects business to pick up once the road is completed.
“The elevated section will improve traffic flow, and we have enough space to expand our business if the number of customers increases,” he said.
Staff at The Planet Salon also expect to expand their services, saying some customers previously avoided the area because of congestion.
More jobs expected
The Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) says 132 people are currently employed on the project, with more expected to be hired as construction activities increase.
Relocation of people and other activities along the road alignment are more than 95% complete.
Some workers said the project has provided them with a source of income and helped them meet household needs. One worker said he has earned Rwf130,000 per month over the past nine months, which has helped him pay his child’s school fees and cover other expenses.
The expanded road will have four lanes, up from the existing two, and will include a 1.3-kilometre elevated section.
The project is expected to take 30 months and cost more than Rwf130 billion. China will contribute Rwf95 billion, while Rwanda will provide Rwf35 billion.
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