The Minister of Finance James Musoni and the head of delegation of the European Commission to Rwanda, David MacRae, Thursday signed financial agreements worth Rwf  2.4 billion. The funds will be used to improve the road infrastructure that links with neighbouring countries.

"Road infrastructure and connectivity between the three member states of the Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC is going to improve economically due to the new contribution by the EU,” Musoni said during the signing.

Planned works include the rehabilitation of bridges on the two major transport corridors linking the three countries to the Indian Ocean at the ports of Mombassa and Dar es Salaam.

"Most of the money will be used in the rehabilitating of the heavy and light bridges linking Cyangugu to Bukavu in the DRC as well as the urban roads in Cyagungu,” Musoni added.

He also thanked the EU for its continued contributions and was confident that with this initiative, the interactions between Rwanda and the DRC will improve.

On the same occasion, another RWF 210 million contract was signed between the EU and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL), Gabriel Toyi, for a feasibility study for the rehabilitation of cross-border links between Rwanda, Burundi.

David MacRae said that the financing agreement and the study have important economic and political dimensions.

"We all know that the Great Lakes region is going through a troubled period. It is necessary to resolve these ongoing conflicts and bring back stability and peace to the region so that people can live and lead normal life,” MacRae said. He also added that the agreement being signed will bring about better roads meaning better communication.

"Better communication creates trust and is a foundation for cooperation and improved relations. The EU is strongly supportive of the CEPGL and is very happy to be associated with the regional initiative,” he added.

Currently, Europe is the biggest provider of development aid in the whole world. In Rwanda the European Commission has financed rehabilitation of several primary roads, the international airport and numerous government buildings. 

Ends