The Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have approved USD322.35 million loans and grant to Tanzania and Burundi to finance the Kabingo-Kasulu-Manyovu (260 km) and Rumonge-Gitaza (45 km) road upgrading project.
The project aims at strengthening regional integration and trade in the East African Community, particularly between Tanzania and Burundi through improved cross-border transport and is part of the East African roads network linking the Port of Dar es Salaam to the regional markets in Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
To be completed in 2023, the project comprises several phases, including the upgrading from gravel to bitumen standard of Kabingo-Kasulu-Manyovu (260 km) road section in Tanzania and rehabilitation of Rumonge – Gitaza (45 km) paved road section in Burundi.
It also involves the construction and operationalization of a One Stop Border Post between Tanzania and Burundi at Manyovu/Mugina Border; Rural/Urban Roads rehabilitation, Health Centres and Schools construction, Community Water Sources, and road safety, institutional support and capacity building of actors involved, including compensation and resettlement of people affected by the project.
The project aligns with the National Development Plans of both Tanzania and Burundi, particularly the respective sectoral policies on transport in both countries.
When completed, this multinational road will help open up rural areas, reduce vehicle operating costs, and enhance road safety.
In addition, it will improve access to socio-economic and health infrastructure located along roads, particularly in Tanzania’s Kigoma region, and Burundi’s Rumonge province.
“The project will fundamentally enhance the mobility of goods and services for the people in Burundi and Tanzania”, said Gabriel Negatu Director General of the Bank Group’s East Africa Regional Development & Business Delivery Office.
“The improved transport will bring additional benefits for the two neighboring countries, including empowering women and youth for whom new market centers will be opened and other economic activities will increase,” Negatu added.
The project is in line with the objectives of the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy (2013 – 2022) which focuses on assisting its regional member countries to achieve more inclusive and greener growth via the Bank’s High5 priorities including integrating Africa and improving the lives of the people of Africa,
The project is also consistent with the Bank’s Country Strategy Papers for both countries, which have infrastructure development as an important pillar.
Likewise, the project is one of the priorities in the Bank’s East African Regional Integration Strategy Paper (2018-2022).
AfDB in Tanzania
Tanzania is the second largest beneficiary of the concessionary funding window of the Bank, the African Development Fund (ADF).
Over the past 5 years, the focus of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Tanzania has been mostly on infrastructure development and governance.
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