The Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), has successfully completed the construction of 93 Km of feeder roads in Nyabihu district under Feeder Roads Development Project (FRDP), a transformative initiative co-financed by the World Bank. 

The newly constructed roads mark a significant step forward in advancing rural connectivity, boosting agricultural productivity, and enhancing access to essential services. The 93 kilometers of feeder roads are more than just infrastructure; they are lifelines that are already reshaping the livelihoods of over 121,000 beneficiaries in Nyabihu District. 

By easing the transportation of agricultural produce such as potatoes and milk to local and regional markets, the roads are enabling farmers to reduce transport costs, minimize spoilage, and maximize profits.

In particular, the roads have significantly improved access to:

• 2 Milk Collection Centers (MCCs) and 1 Milk Collection Point (MCP), facilitating efficient milk aggregation and commercialization
• 1 newly constructed mini market, which provides farmers and traders a central location for selling their produce
• 6 market centers, stimulating local trade and entrepreneurship
• 9 schools, enabling easier and safer access for students and teachers
• 2 health centers and 2 health posts, improving timely access to healthcare
• 2 storage facilities, essential for preserving and managing agricultural yields

The Feeder Roads Development Project (FRDP) in Nyabihu has also contributed directly to local job creation, with a total of 1,115 employment opportunities generated during the project’s implementation. These opportunities played a crucial role in injecting income into local households while building capacity in rural road construction and maintenance.

Moreover, the project constructed 1 MCC and 2 MCPs, strengthening the dairy value chain and reinforcing Rwanda’s ambitions to become a competitive player in the regional agriculture sector.

Local communities in Nyabihu District have praised the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank for their collaboration through FRDP. Farmers and residents have acknowledged the project’s role in not only enhancing mobility but also in unlocking new business opportunities and stimulating broader economic development.

Mrs. NYIRABURANGA Leoncie, is a farmer in Nyabihu, she noted: “Before these feeder roads, transporting our potatoes to the markets was a big struggle, but now thanks to this project, vehicles can reach our farms directly, and we are selling more produce than ever.”

Tourism stakeholders have also highlighted the feeder roads’ importance in enabling access to key tourism destinations such as culture tourism in Bigogwe and in Gishwati-Mukura national park, further broadening the district’s economic base.

The success of the feeder roads project in Nyabihu aligns with Rwanda’s broader development vision, which emphasizes inclusive growth, rural transformation, and infrastructure-led development. The Government, through RTDA and in partnership with development partners like the World Bank, continues to prioritize road accessibility as one of the key enablers for achieving the National Strategy for Transformation II (NST2) and Vision 2050.