The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has granted $29.49m for the first phase of the Nyakararo-Mwaro-Gitega (RN18) road improvement and asphalting project in Burundi.

The AfDB grant accounts for 95% of the project’s total cost, which is estimated to be $31.04m.

The improvement to the 30km Nyakararo-Mwaro-Kibumbu road will boost regional trade in the region allowing easy movement of goods along the road.

The grant is part of the Burundian Government’s infrastructure action plan (2010-2015) designed under the Burundi Vision 2025 to improve road network and support economic growth.

"The project is consistent with the second-generation growth and poverty reduction strategy framework, which focuses on transformation of the Burundian economy to generate sustained and job-creating growth."

AfDB said in a statement: "The project is consistent with the second-generation growth and poverty reduction strategy framework (GPRSF II), which focuses on transformation of the Burundian economy to generate sustained and job-creating growth, as well as the bank’s country strategy paper for Burundi (2012-2016)."

The road project will not only benefit traders but also local farmers, women and young people by providing them access to socio-economic infrastructure.

Other beneficiaries of the road project include industrialists, loggers and transporters, which can reduce their operating and logistical costs.

In addition, the road will serve as a strategic economic link connecting Bujumbura to the central, northern and eastern regions of the country and also as an alternative route to the current central corridor linking Bujumbura to the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.