The newly established Road Maintenance Fund oversees rehabilitation of the roads.

Development of a strong, well-maintained transportation network is essential if landlocked Rwanda is to attract foreign investment, develop as an exporter, and exploit its potential as a regional hub.

The government’s long-term objective is for Rwanda to become a strategic distribution point for the whole region, a transit hub connecting Central and East Africa. To transport goods north into Uganda, south into Burundi, or east into Tanzania from Kigali takes only about three hours by road.
Evariste Bizimana, Minister of Infrastructure, emphasizes the positive side of Rwanda’s location. “On a regional level, despite the fact that we are landlocked, our geographical position astride east and central Africa has advantages with regard to transportation, as it is a transit area for the ports of Mombasa in Kenya, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

EVARISTE BIZIMANA Minister of Infrastructure

“The road network linking Rwanda to its bordering countries needs to be modern and efficient to facilitate trade with our neighbors.”

Rwanda’s road system was neglected before 1994 and badly damaged during the civil war. The government has launched a rehabilitation drive, establishing a Road Maintenance Fund to oversee a long-term program of upgrading and expansion. Recently completed projects include a brand new road to Kibuye town, one of Rwanda's top tourist attractions.

As in other areas of the economy, the government believes that the private sector can act as a catalyst for the development and management of transportation infrastructure. “We favor private businesses, both international and national, in construction, and in the rehabilitation and maintenance of our road network,” says Mr. Bizimana.

“This is done in many countries such as the United States or in Europe, where the private sector has a very important role to play in the management of public infrastructures.”

The Minister says there are many opportunities for investment, and, in addition to transportation, he highlights the most targeted infrastructure programs as: communications, public buildings, electricity, drinking water supply and sewerage. “Investment opportunities exist in road management, renovation and construction, energy production and methane gas,” he says.

Two overland transport corridors provide exit routes for exports. About 70 percent of Rwanda’s external trade passes through the northern corridor to Mombasa via Uganda, while the other 30 percent goes via the central corridor from Kigali to Dar es Salaam.

An important project is the proposed construction of a railway line from Kigali to the Tanzanian inland transport depot of Isaka, currently connected only by a 150-mile road.

The joint project with Tanzania would give Rwanda rail access all the way from the capital to Dar es Salaam, reducing costs significantly and opening up a vast area to development on both sides of the border. A feasibility study has also been launched to establish whether it is economically viable to rehabilitate the road link.