Major infrastructure projects across the country have reached an average of 91 per cent completion, the Ministry of Infrastructure has said. The New Times highlights seven major infrastructure projects nearing completion. These range from roads, health facilities, ports, hydropower and water proctes. 1. Nyange-Muhanga road The rehabilitation and expansion works on the 24-kilometre Nyange-Muhanga road have reached 91.5 per cent completion. This is a secton of the Karongi-Muhanga road. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Kuwait sign $20 million deal for Muhanga-Nyange road upgrade The other sections of the road, Rubengera–Rambura and Rambura–Nyange, have already been completed. Once complete, the upgraded corridor will connect the Southern Province with the Western and Northern provinces, as well as Kigali, easing the movement of people and goods. 2. Rusizi port The Rusizi port on the shores of Lake Kivu is 97 per cent complete. The project will facilitate trade and transport between Rwanda and DR Congo. ALSO READ: Rusizi port construction at 56% completion, two more ports set to begin Rusizi, located at the southern end of Lake Kivu, serves as a major gateway for trade with Bukavu city and South Kivu Province in DR Congo. The port is designed to accommodate 2.3 million passengers and handle 1.3 million tonnes of cargo annually. 3. Masaka Hospital The expansion works on Masaka Hospital in Kicukiro District is now 100 per cent complete, the ministry said. The facility will be the premises of the CHUK hospital, which is set to relocate from Nyarugenge District. With a capacity of more than 830 beds, the newhospital will become Rwanda’s largest general and university teaching hospital. The current CHUK facility has 400 beds. ALSO READ: Eight things to know about CHUK hospital relocation The new facility will have the capacity to serve up to 2,000 patients per day. It will also include staff accommodation and a small airfield for emergency helicopters. 4. Kigali Wetland Rehabilitation Project The rehabilitation of five wetlands in Kigali has reached 94 per cent completion. The wetlands include Kibumba (68 hectares), Nyabugogo (131 hectares), Rugenge–Rwintare (65 hectares), Gikondo (162 hectares), and Rwampara (65 hectares). ALSO READ: Is Gikondo recreational park finally coming to life? The rehabilitation project will include 58.5 kilometres of pedestrian and cycling pathways. In addition to environmental restoration, the wetlands will also promote recreation. All pedestrian and cycling paths are designed to be flat and equipped with benches every 500 metres to ensure accessibility for all users. The rehabilitation of these wetlands is expected to directly and indirectly benefit more than 220,500 people living in flood-prone areas and areas vulnerable to water shortages, as wetland degradation and pollution have significantly affected water quality and quantity. 5. Kivu Belt water project The Rwf13 billion Kivu Belt water project is 99 per cent complete. It is expected to produce 13,000 cubic metres of water per day in Karongi District. 6. Muhazi water supply project The Muhazi water supply project has reached 93 per cent completion. It is expected to produce 12,000 cubic metres of water per day, serving Kayonza and Gatsibo districts in Eastern Province. The project aims to expand access to clean water in eight sectors: Kiramuruzi, Kiziguro, Murambi, Remera, and Rugarama in Gatsibo District, as well as Rukara, Gahini, and Murundi in Kayonza District. According to the project design, the completed system will serve about 543,000 people, significantly reducing the burden of travelling long distances to fetch water. ALSO READ: Over 500,000 Gatsibo, Kayonza residents to benefit from Muhazi Water Supply System The project includes the installation of 256 kilometres of water pipelines to distribute treated water to remote areas, 11 reservoirs for water storage and supply management, and 165 public water points to improve access to clean water. 7. Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant The Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant is a $214 million project financed by the the Government of Rwanda and Export Import Bank of China. According to Rwanda Energy Group (REG), the project has reached 69 per cent completion and is expected to generate 43.5MW of electricity once completed. The government has allocated Rwf149.8 billion in the 2026/2027 fiscal year for the project. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s China-financed Nyabarongo II dam 'halfway done' The multipurpose dam will stand 59 metres high and stretch 363 metres in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 803 million cubic metres. The dam will support irrigation along Nyabarongo, Akagera, and Akanyaru rivers, as well as areas around Lakes Cyohoha and Rweru in Bugesera. A major canal will transport water from the dam site in Shyorongi, located in Rulindo, to farmlands in Bugesera District, where much of the irrigation is expected to take place.
