Rwanda Lights All Highways to Boost Cross-border Trade, Reports KT Press

KIGALI, Rwanda, Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jean Marie Munyaneza, a bus driver, was driving from Rwanda's capital city, Kigali, to Rubavu district bordering war-torn DR Congo, when his lights suddenly went off. He stopped and repaired them; otherwise he wouldn't move an inch. 

"Most parts of the road are deadly. Drivers cannot see properly, especially at night," he said.  

Munyaneza has on several occasions knocked down wild animals crossing the road. That has suddenly changed. Rwanda has switched on road-lights along the 180KM highway connecting the capital Kigali to the border with DR Congo.

"With these road lights, safety is guaranteed," he said. 

Rwanda has embarked on lighting roads connecting Kigali to all four borders to boost trade with neighbours-Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and DRC.  

The 144km Kigali-Rubavu highway is installed with roadside lights powered by hydroelectricity.

NPD Cotraco, a local engineering company, was contracted to implement the over $50m project to connect 500km of distance.

It cost $11.5m to light the Kigali-Goma border alone. Lighting 1km amounted to $100,000. A concrete pole costs $857 each.

The poles are installed with 250w/60w bulbs worth $357/$657 respectively.

Over 36,000 passengers ply Kigali-Rubavu highway daily, in cross-border trade worth $36m annually.

Thousands of tourists use the road to visit rare mountain-gorillas. The sector generated $294m in 2013. It is through Rwanda that eastern DRC and Burundi receive most of their imports.

"Benefiting most are six districts along the route," says Deo Kabagambe, Northern Province Executive Secretary.

Laurette Uwamariya, a trader of general merchandise in Gakenke District earns $115 daily, working for 10 hours. With new street lights, she will double income, working longer.

Traffic police also says lights ensure 24-hour safety.

Caritas Uwamariya, Governor of Eastern Province, where 191km Kigali-Kagitumba (Uganda) road stretches, said they will light 30km this year.

In South, Eugene Muzuka, Huye District Mayor is lighting centers along Kigali-Akanyaru (Burundi) and Huye-Kamembe (DRC) highways.

Next to him, Philbert Mugisha of Nyamagabe saved $434,496 to light his 26km segment towards DRC. 

Robert Nyamvumba, Rwanda Energy Group Managing-Director, says although electrification is expensive, Rwanda is committed to lighting city roads and other highways linking Kigali to secondary cities.  

Once all highways are lit, Rwanda would improve 24-hour trade with East African Community member states, becoming the only member with such a facility.

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Jean de la Croix Tabaro & Dan Ngabonziza
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SOURCE KT Press