Expropriation of properties affected by the expansion works on the Prince House-Giporoso-Masaka road has cost more than Rwf30 billion, according to Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA).

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The project will cost a total of more than Rwf130 billion, said Yves Bahunde Havugimana, the Urban Transport and Regional Integration Programme Manager at RTDA. At least 530 properties were valued for compensation.

He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, September 8.

The project is expected to improve traffic flow and connectivity along one of Kigali’s key transport corridors while easing congestion in the city.

The expansion and upgrading project for the 10.4-kilometre road is funded by China to support Rwanda’s efforts to improve urban transport infrastructure.

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China-Rwanda cooperation

The Minister of State for Infrastructure, Col Claudien Bizimungu, said the project forms part of the longstanding bilateral cooperation between the two countries and reflects their shared commitment to improving connectivity, strengthening road safety and supporting Kigali's growing transport needs.

"China provided over Rwf95 billion, while the Government of Rwanda contributed Rwf35 billion,” Bizimungu said.

The project's initial 1.37-kilometre section involves upgrading an existing four-lane, two-way road into an interchange layout.

The subsequent 9.04-kilometre section entails reconstructing and widening an existing two-lane, two-way road into a four-lane, two-way road.

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Chinese company Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co Ltd is the contractor. The main works include flyovers, underpasses, interchanges, subgrade and pavement works, bridges, culverts, roadway lighting, drainage systems and traffic management infrastructure.

"These improvements will contribute significantly to better traffic flow, reduce travel time, improve road safety and strengthen connectivity across Kigali,” Bizimungu said.

The road is classified as an urban arterial road, with a design speed of 60 km/h for the main lanes and 40 km/h for the frontage roads.

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"It was taking almost two hours to travel from Remera to Masaka during the evening traffic jam. We hope it could take only 30 minutes or 20 minutes once the road is expanded,” said Denis Mucyo, a resident of Masaka, who works in the Giporoso area.

The project is planned to be concluded in 30 months.

The minister urged the public to remain patient, use designated diversion routes and cooperate with traffic management measures during construction.

He also called on the contractor, the City of Kigali, RTDA, the Rwanda National Police and other institutions involved in the project to work closely together to minimise disruption and ensure public safety.

Why the road matters in logistics and transport

The Prince House-Giporoso-Masaka road connects to routes from the Eastern Province, which hosts the Rusumo border crossing, an important entry point for imports and exports. It also provides access to the Inland Dubai Port, Kigali International Airport, Kigali Industrial Zone, Remera Bus Park, Masaka and CHUK hospitals, the Medical Hub, Kabuga Bus Park, Nyandungu Eco-Park, Amahoro Stadium, the road connecting to the new airport in Bugesera District and other parts of the city.

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"The expansion and upgrading of the Prince House–Masaka road will significantly improve traffic flow, enhance road safety and stimulate economic development in Kigali,” Bizimungu said.

"The Implementation Agreement reflects the strong and strategic partnership between Rwanda and China, and underscores the shared commitment to ensuring that this project contributes meaningfully to Rwanda’s national development objectives,” he noted.

He added that the improved road would also enhance access to jobs, markets and essential services, supporting the continued growth of Kigali and the wider economy.

Call for faster implementation

The contract period for the project is expected to be about 30 months. However, the minister challenged the contractor and other stakeholders to find ways of completing the works much earlier.

"Given the importance of this road to the people of Kigali, I would like to encourage the contractor and all stakeholders to explore every possible opportunity to complete the works in less than 20 months,” he said.

He went on to asked whether the project could be completed in 15 months, without compromising quality, safety and value for money.

He said stronger coordination, efficient planning, adequate mobilisation of resources and close collaboration among stakeholders could help shorten the implementation period.

China's Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the project is the latest aid project undertaken by the Chinese government in Rwanda and a landmark undertaking in the field of road and bridge construction assistance.

He noted that it was also a key livelihood project for implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, as well as a concrete action to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries.

"In 2018, during his historic state visit to Rwanda, President Xi Jinping, together with President Paul Kagame, jointly identified this project as a key bilateral initiative,” Gao said.

"Guided by a long-term strategic vision, the two heads of state personally charted its blueprint and pushed forward its advancement, giving the project profound political significance and a historic mission,” he noted.

He reiterated that the road would effectively reduce logistics and transport costs upon completion and continuously boost business activity along its route.

"China stands ready to take this project as an important opportunity to continuously deepen all-round exchanges and cooperation with Rwanda in the infrastructure sector and jointly elevate bilateral practical cooperation to new heights,” Gao said.