Kigali, 16^th February 2026 - The Government of Rwanda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening rural connectivity as a catalyst for inclusive growth, resilience, and job creation, as the Minister of Infrastructure Dr. Jimmy Gasore officially opened the Regional Conference on Planning Rural Corridors in Africa: Connectivity, Economic Growth and Jobs in Kigali.

The high-level regional dialogue brings together policymakers, development partners, researchers, and infrastructure experts from more than 20 African countries. The three-day conference is jointly organized with the World Bank Group, the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP), the European Commission, the Africa Transportation Research Alliance, and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.

In his opening remarks, the Minister emphasized that rural connectivity goes beyond transport infrastructure and is fundamentally about people and opportunity.

“Rural connectivity is not merely about roads and bridges; it is about enabling farmers to access markets, children to reach schools safely, patients to access healthcare on time, and communities to participate meaningfully in economic and social life,” he noted.

Highlighting Rwanda’s development journey, the Minister underscored infrastructure as a cornerstone of national transformation. With most of Rwanda’s population residing in rural areas, ensuring access to essential services and economic activity remains a national priority. Through the country’s feeder roads development program, Rwanda has significantly improved access to agricultural production zones, markets, and social services, resulting in reduced travel times, lower transport costs, increased agricultural productivity, and improved household incomes.

The Minister also expressed appreciation to development partners, particularly the World Bank Group, for their continued technical and financial support in scaling up rural transport programs and strengthening institutional capacity. 

He further acknowledged the impact of trail bridge initiatives implemented in partnership with organizations such as Bridge to Prosperity, which have enhanced year-round access, reduced isolation, and improved safety in remote communities, especially benefiting women and children.

Beyond infrastructure expansion, Rwanda is prioritizing restoration, rehabilitation, and maintenance of district road networks. Efforts to strengthen road asset management systems, promote performance-based maintenance contracts, and enhance district-level capacity are aimed at ensuring sustainability and resilience, particularly in the face of increasing climate-related risks.

As climate change intensifies the frequency of floods, landslides, and extreme weather events, Rwanda is integrating resilience and disaster risk reduction into rural road planning and design. The adoption of climate-smart standards, nature-based solutions, and innovative technologies is central to safeguarding investments and ensuring long-term serviceability.

The conference aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, stimulate regional dialogue, and catalyze partnerships around rural logistics, cross-border corridors, and investment priorities. Participants are expected to engage in high-level discussions, technical sessions, and field visits to share best practices and lessons learned.

Reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to inclusive development, the Minister called for stronger collaboration to mobilize investment, foster innovation, and ensure that no community is left behind.

Declaring the conference officially open, he expressed confidence that the partnerships and insights generated in Kigali would contribute meaningfully to shaping more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous rural corridors across Africa.

Since the launch of the Feeder Roads Development Project in 2014, about 4,428 kilometers of roads have been constructed across the country.

These roads have played a significant role in boosting the national economy by facilitating citizens’ access to markets, particularly for agricultural and livestock products.

The Government remains committed to continuing to expand infrastructure services closer to Rwandans in order to accelerate sustainable development.