ADB Approves U.S.$45m for Highway

By Eddyson Lugangwa Posted 25 September 2006 @ 11:42 am EET     Print     Reprint     E-Mail     Comments

Nairobi (IBTimes.com) - The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on Wednesday in Tunis, approved a grant of about US$ 44.95 million, to finance the Kicukiro-Kirundo Road Project linking Rwanda to Burundi.

According to a release, the all-weather road will among others reduce travel time and general transport costs, contribute to the welfare of the people living in the project area, strengthen sub-regional integration and, facilitate trade.

The release further indicates that the direct beneficiaries of the project comprise the inhabitants of Kicukiro and Bugesera districts in Rwanda and Kirundo Province in Burundi.

The total population is estimated at 1.071 million, 44.3% in Rwanda and 55.7% in Burundi.The total cost of the projects is estimated at about US$ 157.96 million, with the ADF grant financing 28.50 % of the projects. Other donors will support the Rwanda and Burundi governments to complete the project.

The ADB Group began operations in Rwanda and Burundi in 1974. To date, the Bank's commitments in Rwanda amounts to US$ 554.254 million in 70 projects, while Burundi has received a total commitment of US$386.775 million in 64 projects.