The African Development Bank (AfDB) is set to partner with the Government of Rwanda for the rehabilitation and widening of the 208km-long Kagitumba-Kayonza-Rusumo road in the Eastern province of the country.

As well as AfDB, the European Union (EU) Delegation in Rwanda, Embassy of Japan in Rwanda and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are associated with this project.

AfDB will contribute $93.1m to the project, representing nearly 51% of the total cost of $183.39m in building the Rwandan section.

The overall cost of the project, which also includes a section of road development in Uganda, is $376.5m.

The project is expected to benefit nearly 1.1 million people and facilitate transportation and trade between Rwanda, Uganda and the Eastern African region.

“The project is expected to benefit nearly 1.1 million people and facilitate transportation and trade between Rwanda, Uganda and the Eastern African region.”

AfDB Rwanda country manager Martha Phiri said that the road project will support Rwanda’s plan to develop itself into a regional logistical hub.

Phiri said: “We are very proud to continue partnering with you at this very exciting time, as you embark on the final stretch in your journey of transition from a low-income to a middle-income country in line with your National Strategy for Transformation and Long Term Vision.”

The scope of the project also includes providing training to 1,600 women and seven womens associations, as well as supporting planting of 41,500 trees.

The Ugandan section of the project involves the construction of the four-lane 23.7km Busega-Mpigi express highway.

JICA, the EU through the EU Infrastructure Trust Fund, and the Government of Rwanda have also mobilised necessary resources required for the development of the project.