Rwanda and China have launched a major road expansion and upgrade project aimed at improving transport connectivity in Kigali.
The 10-kilometre road project, stretching from Prince House to Masaka, is the latest China-aided infrastructure project undertaken in Rwanda, according to the country’s Ministry of Infrastructure.
The project was officially launched on Tuesday by Rwandan and Chinese officials.
Project to improve traffic flow and connectivity
Rwanda’s State Minister for Infrastructure, Claudien Bizimungu, described the project as another sign of the strong and long-standing relationship between Rwanda and China.
He said the upgraded road would help improve traffic flow, reduce travel time and enhance road safety across Kigali.
The project is also expected to improve access to jobs, markets and essential services while supporting the city’s continued economic growth.
Road to be expanded in two sections
The first 1.37-kilometre section will upgrade an existing four-lane, two-way road into an interchange layout.
The second section, covering 9.04 kilometres, will involve reconstructing and widening an existing two-lane, two-way road into a four-lane, two-way road.
The improvements are expected to strengthen Kigali’s urban transport network and ease movement within the capital.
China highlights long-term partnership
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the project represents a new milestone in relations between the two countries.
“Far more than an ordinary urban road, it serves as a tie binding China-Rwanda friendship, a bridge linking win-win collaboration, and a powerhouse driving our shared development,” Gao said.
He added that the completed road would help reduce logistics and transportation costs.
According to the ambassador, the project is also designed to deliver practical benefits to Kigali residents by easing congestion and improving access to essential services.
Project linked to Belt and Road cooperation
The project is being constructed by Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co., Ltd.
It has been described as a key livelihood project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and an implementation of outcomes from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.
The project also reflects agreements reached by the heads of state of Rwanda and China.
The latest development highlights the continued focus on infrastructure cooperation as part of broader China-Rwanda relations.
