Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika has praised President Paul Kagame for his contribution to the development of Rwanda and Africa at large.

He was speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday after the two presidents inaugurated a new highway in Lilongwe that has been named Paul Kagame Road.

In a colourful ceremony that took place in downtown Lilongwe, Kagame unveiled a roadside commemorative plaque before driving with wa Mutharika along the new road in an open jeep accompanied by a procession of cultural troupes and ordinary citizens of Lilongwe, all waving Rwandan and Malawian flags.

Speaking at an open-air rally at the conclusion of the procession, President wa Mutharika stated that Malawi had decided to name the road in honour of President Kagame "in recognition of your friendship with Malawi and your contribution to the development of Africa in general and Rwanda in particular.”

The newly inaugurated 3.6-kilometre highway, financed by the International Development Association (IDA), is Malawi’s first dual carriageway and is considered a model for future roads to be built under Malawi’s infrastructure development initiative, which aims to modernise the national road network.

President  wa Mutharika talked of the similarities between Rwanda and Malawi noting that both were small countries that were striving to bring meaningful development to their countries adding that the only way to eradicate poverty and achieve transformation was by becoming producing and exporting, instead of consuming and importing, economies.

He called for the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations through governmental and cultural exchanges and encouraged Malawian entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities to do business in Rwanda.

President Kagame expressed his appreciation for the double honour of road naming as well as the Freedom of the City of Lilongwe conferred earlier.

He noted the importance of infrastructure development to Africa’s socioeconomic development as outlined in the vision of the African Union and NEPAD, and congratulated Malawi for the country’s commitment to modernising its road network adding that the newly completed road was "an important milestone in the right direction, and is a clear indication that you are well on your way to achieving your chosen policy objectives.”

Earlier in the day, the two Heads of State held private talks and had a luncheon where they discussed bilateral matters as well regional and continental issues.

President Kagame is scheduled to hold a joint press conference with President wa Mutharika before departing yesterday.

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