{The Government of Rwanda and the African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed a concessional loan agreement worth US$ 74.4 million (approximately RwF 52 billion) to finance the construction of 51 km Base-Gicumbi-Rukomo road. The government of Rwanda will provide a counter fund worth US 4.6 million (approximately RwF 3.2 billion).}
The construction of the 51 kilometer road is part of a 125 kilometer Base –Nyagatare project which will link the Northern and the Eastern provinces. It is expected to facilitate trade between secondary cities of Rubavu, Musanze, Gicumbi and Nyagatare.
Speaking after the signing event Claver Gatete, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Said “The road will ease access to markets. It will also enable farmers to increase value of agriculture produce and ultimately their income”.
This road also links the Northern corridor to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Musanze to Rubavu boarder with Goma in DRC and this could even ease traffic in the Capital Kigali as trucks transporting goods to DRC would not necessarily have to come to Kigali when the trucks are through Kagitumba or Gatuna boarders.
The project will be executed by the Ministry of Infrastructure through Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) as an executing agency.
AfDB Resident representative Negatu Makonnen said: “This is the eighth major road being financed by the bank in recent times. In additional to upgrading the Base-Rukomo road we will sensitize local communities on road safety, environmental protection and construct multifunctional centers such as markets and community centers.”
The Africa Development Bank has contributed significantly to the development of road infrastructure with several projects already complete while others near completion. They include Kicukiro-Nemba-Kirundo, Gitarama-Ngororero and Rusizi-Bugarama-Ruhwa roads among others.
AfDB is an active partner of the Rwandan Government. Currently its portfolio is comprised of 21 operations, with total commitments close to $450 million.
AFDB Country Strategy Paper (CSP) is well aligned to Rwanda’s Vision 2020 and EDPRS Priorities. The current CSP (2012-2016) focuses on infrastructure (energy, transport, agriculture, water and sanitation) and private sector development. Infrastructure accounts for 69.3% of the total commitments.
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