The tourism potential of the two secondary cities bordering lake Kivu, Rusizi and Rubavu, is being boosted by the Rwanda Urban Development Project (RUDP), a World Bank-funded project meant to provide better roads, street lighting and drainage systems, residents as well as officials there say.

The project aims to provide an integrated package of support to address challenges associated with Rwanda’s urbanization: access to basic infrastructure to promote livability and local economic development; upgrading unplanned areas to promote inclusive urbanization; and supporting districts to engage with the private sector and enable economic development.

To fund the project, World Bank injected $95 million and the government of Rwanda contributed $5 million; for all the country's six secondary cities and parts of the City of Kigali.

In Rusizi, for example, a new asphalt road that connects the 60-room hotel, Centre Diocesain Pastoral Incuti.

According to Father Benjamin Bapfakurera, the three-star hotel's Managing Director, when the hotel opened in 2012, roads around it were in a dire state and this hampered business.

Bapfakurera said: "At the time, getting here was very difficult. But now, with this new road, it is a far better place. Our guests are happier because of the very good road on the shores of this beautiful Lake Kivu which many visitors want to come and see and enjoy the scenery."

"The road and street lights really enhanced our business. When the road was done, we were inspired too and we upgraded and increased rooms from upwards of 20 to 60."

Léoncie Kankindi, the Vice Mayor in charge of economic affairs acknowledged that Rusizi is a city with tourism potential considering that it borders two countries (Burundi and DR Congo), has an airport (Kamembe), is on the shores of Lake Kivu, and borders Nyungwe National Park, among others.

She added: "All these ongoing development activities and factors add to improving our touristic potential. Roads are a pull factor to many other development activities. They will also enhance cross-border trade and income generation."

"The project (RUDP) has enhanced roads and drainage systems in our city, among others, and all these are vital things for our growing city. Areas, where new roads pass, have upped in value…and this is, generally, attracting investors too."

More than 4.6 kilometers of asphalt roads and 451 meters of lined drainage were constructed in phase one while phase two saw 5.7 kilometres of roads and 1,168 meters of stand-alone drainage constructed.

Among others, the impact has enhanced security since public lighting was installed alongside the constructed roads; and improved the beauty of the City since it is well cleaned. The constructed lined drainages also improved sanitation by conveying stormwater to appropriate sites.

Asma Sauda, a trader in Mahoro village, up a hill on Kamashangi Cell, Kamembe Cell, in Rusizi City said the roads took a long time coming "but finally, we are happy." 

"We often couldn't get out during the rains because of the mud. More tenants are now coming here and even new people are working in the area," she said.

Rubavu hopeful despite Covid-19, earthquakes

In Rubavu City which is also located on the northern shores of Lake Kivu, 4 kilometres of asphalt roads and 851 metres of stand-alone drainage were constructed in the first phase. In phase two, 5.89 kilometres of new asphalt roads and 5.87 kilometres of exit drains were constructed.

Marie-Jeanne Nishimwe, a shopkeeper in a busy Ihumure village of Mbugangali Cell told The New Times that a few years earlier the neighborhood was a difficult place to do business in as the roads were bad.

"Supplies and deliveries here are easier; transport costs reduced. In the past delivery, vehicles would stop kilometres away in town because they could not access Mbugangali but now trucks can come in and park next to our shops and by doing so, we save money and time," she said.

Siphora Karinganire, a mother of three who resides in the same village, said she used to spend Rwf600 to Rwf1,000 going to the market on the other side of town but now she saves Rwf300 because of the new roads.

"Our properties' value appreciated. I have two small annexes that we used to rent Rwf10,000 for each but now it is Rwf15,000 and for the two we now get Rwf30,000 rent, monthly."

Philemon Byukusenge, a shop owner, appreciated the impact of the new roads but decried the difficulties brought about by reduced cross-border trade due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are not earning as it was before, because of the pandemic," he said.

"Earlier, one would be earning at least Rwf500,000 and then gradually move up to a million but things came to a standstill now. Challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and more recently, the earthquake across the border."

Hope

Byukusenge, however, noted that: "There is hope that once the border fully reopens we will resume normal operations and take full advantage of the development brought by the new roads and everything."

Lately, 6,000 to 8,000 people cross the busy border daily unlike in the past when it was between 40,000 and 55,000.

Deogratius Nzabonimpa, Rubavu's Vice Mayor in charge of economic affairs, observed that the new roads constructed, especially in the past two years, and the drainage systems, played a big role in changing the face of the city.

He said: "It has been opened up and there are no more accidents as was in the past. People along the roads revamped their structures and now have better buildings, thanks to the new road. Buildings on the roadsides are being turned into commercial property as well as creating more jobs.

"We are sure more positive impacts due to this project will become evident next year. We have a hard-working population in spite of the challenges brought by Covid-19. 

A new phase of infrastructure development set to start in the next financial year, he said, "is going to improve life so much."

"The Rugerero area is a vast area and it is where we envision city expansion. Important infrastructure has been put there by RTUC, we have better private clinics, we shall set up a big industrial park there, and more. We plan to divert the main heavy truck route there too."

The government continues to put emphasis on developing the secondary cities so as to, among others, check the rural-urban migration focused on Kigali.

"What we want now is to ensure that our cities continue growing and more effort and money is being put into this effort," the Minister of Infrastructure, Claver Gatete, told reporters on Friday, June 18, at the end of the six cities tour.

He noted that next year's national census will give a clear picture of what percentage of people live in all the country's urban areas.

"By 2024 we shall have attained a lot in terms of infrastructure in cities. All this includes looking at aspects such as a good environment as well as electricity, but good environment-friendly electricity."