Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the economic development arm of the UAE government, signed an agreement with the Government of Rwanda to provide a concessionary loan valued at USD 15 million (AED55 million) to finance the Rambura – Nyange section of the Rubengera- Muhanga road project.
The financed road project will support the Rwanda government’s strategic transportation infrastructure development program that is a core component of its broader national economic transformation strategy.
The loan agreement was signed by His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, and His Excellency Emmanuel Hategeka, Ambassador of Rwanda to the UAE. The signing also drew the participation of His Excellency Khalifa Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Deputy Director-General of ADFD, and several senior officials from both sides.
The Rwanda road rehabilitation project of Rubengera – Muhanga covers 61 kilometers connecting the country’s Southern and Western Provinces. In addition to major road repairs, it includes expanding the width of the road from 6 meters to 7.5 meters while adding shoulders and rebuilding water drains.
The road improvement project will improve the connection between urban and rural areas in and around Muhanga, the largest metropolitan area in Rwanda’s Southern Province, and Karongi in the nation’s Western Province. ADFD will support the development of a 22-kilometer roadway running between the towns of Hamburg and Nyange.
H.E. Al Suwaidi said: “Improving road infrastructure is a key pillar of the continued economic development and social growth strategy of Rwanda. While it brings numerous benefits, one major impact is that it will better connect trade routes across multiple Central African nations, a region that represents growing international trade potential for the UAE. ADFD’s support of this strategic project will directly benefit the Rwandan people while also contributing to economic growth in the African region and expand trade opportunities.”
H.E Emmanuel Hategeka said: “Improving the Rwandan road infrastructure was a key pillar of the success of the Rwanda Vision 2020 and will continue to be as we implement Vision 2050. Strengthening the connection of our rural and urban centers contributes to so many aspects of our national economic and social development agenda, touching everything from small and medium enterprises, trade, travel, and tourism to food security. We have a long history working in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the United Arab Emirates and greatly value their support on this important infrastructure development program.”
The program will greatly reduce travel times between cities, increase road safety and improve access to employment opportunities, healthcare, and education facilities for residents. The improved roads will also better accommodate heavy trucks and promote an increase in cross-border trade among neighboring countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This is the second project ADFD has supported in Rwanda in a relationship that started in 1981 with the AED14 million construction of the Kigali International Airport in the nation’s capital city. More development projects will be considered in the near future.
