(Ecofin Agency) – The Government of Rwanda has secured funding from the Netherlands for the development of four ports on Lake Kivu (Western Province), with the aim of increasing shipping, trade and tourism .

According to the agreement, the Netherlands will co-finance 45% ($ 10.8 million) for the construction of ports and their facilities. Port development will be supported by TradeMark Africa, which is funding 50% of the project while the government will mobilize the remaining 5%.

These different ports, with a total cost of $ 24 million, will be constructed in the districts of Rubavu, Rusizi, Karongi (at the Karongi Transborder Market) and Rutsiro. They should be operational by 2022.

According to the Rwandan Transport Development Agency (RTDA), three of the ports will have a capacity of about 1.5 million passengers per year, which is expected to reach 2.8 million passengers by 2036. The smaller port, the fourth scheduled in the Karongi district, will start with a capacity of approximately 300,000 passengers per year by 2020 and target 400,000 passengers by 2036. Consolidated, they will have a handling capacity of between 270 000 tonnes and 580,000 tonnes.

Once completed, these ports should open up the Western Province to tourism, increase connectivity between districts along the shores of the lake while boosting cross-border trade between Rwanda and the DRC.

Romuald Ngueyap

Source: EN24

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.