Over two millennia ago, inspired by a sincere wish for friendship, our ancestors travelled across grasslands and deserts to create a land Silk Road connecting Asia, Europe and Africa, leading the world into an era of extensive cultural exchanges. More than 1,000 years ago, our ancestors set sail and braved the waves to open a maritime Silk Road linking the East and the West, beginning a new phase of closer communication among peoples.
In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the initiatives of joining with others to build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI). The Belt and Road Initiative is a creative development that takes on and carries forward the spirit of the ancient silk routes and provides a platform for building a global community of shared future.
Since its launch 10 years ago, thanks to the combined efforts of all parties, cooperation under the BRI framework has expanded beyond the borders of China to become an international effort. It has evolved from ideas into actions, from a vision into reality, and from a general framework into concrete projects. It has been welcomed by the international community both as a public good and a cooperation platform, and has achieved solid results.
Ahead of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this week, it’s a good time to take a look at what China and Rwanda has materialized since Rwanda signed a MOU on cooperation under BRI in 2018. Today’s report is going to highlight some of the projects under BRI framework.
Masaka Hospital Renovation and Expansion
The on-going Masaka Hospital renovation and expansion project will expand the existing 6398 m2 China-aided Masaka Hospital into a modern hospital with over 56,000 m2 construction area and 837-bed capacity. It will help turn the neighborhood into a vital medical hub in Africa.
Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant
The Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant is a multipurpose development project which will be adding 43.5 MW generation capacity to Rwanda’s national grid. The project under construction will help reduce the cost of doing business, and improve the quality of life of the population through increased access to reliable, affordable power.
IPRC Musanze Extension
Handed over to Rwandan Government in 2021, the extension project of the Institute of Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) Musanze campus, added a variety of new facilities to the school including a multi-functional hall, an office building, a classroom building, students’ dormitories, among others. After two phases of construction, IPRC Musanze now covers an area of 14 hectares and hosts more than 2100 students on campus.
Bugesera Road Expansion
The project has upgraded the road stretching from Sonatubes roundabout through Gahanga to Akagera Bridge, where the districts of Kicukiro and Bugesera adjoins. The 13.8 km road greatly eases the heavy traffic in the busy Kicukiro town center and facilitates the flow of people and goods to and from Kigali. The project forms part of the vital connection to Rwanda’s new Bugesera International Airport, also has brought the first flyover to the country.
200 Borehole Project
The 200-borehole drilling project benefiting at least 110,000 people was finished in 2022. It covers 9 districts including 7 districts in Eastern Province, and 2 districts in Southern province. The solar-powered boreholes provide easy access to clean water to the neighboring population, and help to dress seasonal water scarcity in the region.
Conclusion
The Belt and Road Initiative has given new life to a history of cultural exchanges that dates back more than two millennia, and has inspired more than 150 countries, including Rwanda, with the zeal to realize new dreams.
Looking back, China and Rwanda have taken the first steps of BRI cooperation on a long and shared journey. Continuing from this new starting point, through extensive consultation and joint contribution, it is fair to believe that the BRI will continue to generate new opportunities for China, Rwanda, and the rest of the world.
