Rwanda: New Bugesera Road Cuts Freight Time, Opens Up Trade Opportunities

A newly rehabilitated road connecting Bugesera to Ngoma and Nyanza districts in Rwanda is significantly reducing freight travel time and opening up new trade opportunities. Previously, truck drivers faced congestion in Kigali that added hours to their journeys, particularly between Kabuga and Remera. However, the shorter route now provides a more efficient alternative, avoiding traffic congestion in the capital city.

Aloys Nkundimana, a cross-border truck driver, explains that the route from the Rusumo border through Bugesera and Nyanza to the Southern and Western provinces is now shorter, helping to streamline freight transport between Tanzania and Rwanda's Southern and Western provinces. The road is part of a broader 123-kilometre Ngoma-Nyanza road upgrading project, which connects the Eastern and Southern provinces to the Kigali-Huye highway without requiring motorists to pass through Kigali itself.

The improved route has already benefited farmers and small-scale traders, who can now transport their goods more efficiently to markets. For example, Emmanuel Mbarushimana, a bicycle transporter, notes that the journey from Kamabuye to Rweru, which used to take about an hour, now takes around 30 minutes thanks to the improved road. This has increased his income from Rwf4,000 per day to Rwf8,000 as he can make more trips.

Transporting farm produce has also become easier for other entrepreneurs like Etienne Ndayisaba, who now transports ripe bananas, avocados, and other goods. He highlights that the road has made it possible to make more trips, increasing his daily earnings from Rwf3,000 to Rwf6,000. Residents also benefit from reduced transport costs and the ability to travel to cattle markets in Ruhango District more easily, even at night thanks to the improved road conditions.

The road's impact extends beyond freight transport, as it has attracted more vehicles and businesses to the area. Goods trucks that previously avoided the region now use the road regularly, and large trucks carrying sand are among those utilizing the improved infrastructure. This has led to increased activity and investment opportunities in logistics, transport, and related businesses along the corridor, benefiting the local economy and opening up new possibilities for residents.