THE African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $100 million loan to Rwanda for a transformative urban transport project aimed at easing congestion and improving mobility in Kigali. The project, greenlit on December 2 at the bank’s Abidjan headquarters, seeks to modernise the city’s traffic systems and pave the way for sustainable urban growth.
Kigali, home to 1.7 million residents and a rapidly growing population, has grappled with worsening traffic congestion, long queues at major junctions, and limited integration between public transport systems. These challenges have pushed many commuters to rely on motorbike taxis, increasing road safety concerns.
The Kigali Urban Transport Improvement Project will address these issues by upgrading three critical traffic bottlenecks with provisions for dedicated bus lanes, non-motorised transport systems, and better pedestrian infrastructure. According to Aïssa Touré Sarr, AfDB’s Country Manager for Rwanda, the initiative aims to deliver ‘a sustainable and user-friendly urban transport infrastructure,’ while supporting a transition to a low-carbon system.
The project includes key community-focused upgrades, such as:
- Redesigned bus stops with shelters to protect commuters from rain.
- Improved accessibility for nursing mothers, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.
- Safer pedestrian crossings and well-lit public transport stations.
By 2050, Kigali’s population is expected to rise to 3.8 million, underscoring the need for an efficient urban mobility framework. This initiative is seen as a critical step toward alleviating current transport inefficiencies while preparing for the city’s future growth.
In addition to easing traffic, the project aims to uplift Kigali’s social and environmental landscape, promising a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable urban transport system.
