Rwanda Awards RWF 147.3 Billion Expressway Contract Linking Kigali to New International Airport

Rwanda has awarded a landmark transport infrastructure contract for the construction of a new expressway connecting Kigali to the upcoming international airport development. The Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) has awarded a RWF 147.27 billion design-and-build contract to China Road and Bridge Corporation Limited (CRBC) for the 11.664-kilometre Expressway to the New Kigali International Airport.

The contract was signed on 29 April 2026 and represents one of Rwanda’s most significant road infrastructure investments in recent years. The project is expected to enhance connectivity between Kigali and the new airport while supporting the country’s long-term economic and logistics development strategy.

Contract Details and Scope

The awarded tender (Reference No. 000003/W/IRT/2025/2026/RTDA/1, TOT Ref No. 25888747) carries a total contract value of RWF 147,267,178,198.

The project will be delivered under a design-and-build procurement model, under which the contractor is responsible for both engineering design and construction activities.

Project Overview

The contract covers:

• Design and engineering of the expressway corridor

• Construction of an 11.664-kilometre access expressway

• Road infrastructure and pavement works

• Bridges, drainage, and associated structures

• Traffic management and road safety infrastructure

• Utility coordination and relocation where required

• Ancillary civil engineering works

The project is scheduled for execution between 29 April 2026 and 29 October 2029, providing a construction period of approximately three and a half years.

Entities Involved

The procuring authority, the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), is responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining Rwanda’s national transport infrastructure network.

The successful contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation Limited (CRBC), is one of the world’s leading infrastructure development companies, with extensive experience delivering highways, bridges, airports, railways, and large-scale transportation projects across Africa, Asia, and other international markets.

Strategic Importance for Rwanda

The expressway forms a critical component of Rwanda’s broader infrastructure modernization agenda and will provide a direct, high-capacity connection to the New Kigali International Airport, one of the country’s flagship development projects.

The new road corridor is expected to:

• Improve access to the new airport facility

• Reduce travel times between Kigali and surrounding economic zones

• Strengthen regional and international connectivity

• Support tourism and business travel growth

• Improve freight and logistics efficiency

• Facilitate future urban and commercial development along the corridor

The project aligns closely with Rwanda’s ambition to position itself as a regional transportation, logistics, and investment hub.

Economic and Development Impact

The investment is expected to generate substantial economic benefits throughout the project lifecycle.

Key anticipated impacts include:

• Creation of construction and engineering jobs

• Increased demand for local suppliers and service providers

• Enhanced investment opportunities around the airport corridor

• Improved movement of goods and passengers

• Support for tourism, trade, and economic diversification

Modern transport infrastructure is also expected to strengthen Rwanda’s competitiveness and improve connectivity with regional markets.

Technical and Engineering Significance

Design-and-build contracts of this scale require multidisciplinary expertise covering:

• Highway engineering and geometric design

• Traffic forecasting and transport planning

• Bridge and structural engineering

• Drainage and environmental management

• Construction management and quality assurance

• Road safety integration

The integrated procurement approach is intended to streamline project delivery, improve coordination, and accelerate implementation timelines.

Conclusion

The award of the RWF 147.27 billion Expressway to New Kigali International Airport contract marks a transformative step in Rwanda’s transport infrastructure development. By creating a modern, high-capacity connection between Kigali and the country’s future aviation gateway, the project will strengthen mobility, support economic growth, and enhance Rwanda’s position as a regional logistics and investment destination.

As construction progresses through 2029, the expressway is expected to become a key pillar of Rwanda’s long-term transportation and economic development strategy.

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