The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund approved, on Thursday, December 1, 2022 in Abidjan, the granting of 75.35 million US dollars in funding to Rwanda and Burundi to build cross-border roads and to strengthen the opening of these two neighboring countries in the Great Lakes region.

The funding of 75.35 million US dollars is intended to implement the first phase of the East African Community Cross-border Road Improvement Project. It includes $71.94 million for Rwanda and $3.40 million for Burundi. This first phase of the project will make it possible to asphalt 69 kilometers of a total of 213 kilometers of cross-border roads in six sections located in five districts for Rwanda. They are Rusizi, Nyaruguru, Musanze, Nyabihu, and Rubavu.

Approximately 144 kilometers of remaining cross-border road will be completed during phase 2 and will be the subject of a detailed feasibility study during this first phase.

With regard to Burundi, the activities to be carried out during phase 1 of the project include studies for the asphalting of approximately 65 kilometers with border connections. This work will be carried out in Akanyaru Haut, Bitare/Nshili, Ruhwa and Rusizi.