Burundi - Nyakararo-Mwaro-Gitega Road (RN18) Upgrade and Asphalting Project/Phase II – Kibumbu-Gitega (Mweya) - (24 km)

The upgrade and asphalting project on National Highway No. 18 (RN 18: Nyakararo-Mwaro-Gitega), Phase II, Kibumbu-Gitega segment (Mweya), which is approximately 24 km long, is part of Burundi's road network improvement plan. It was designed in response to the need to improve the road network. RN 18 is one of the economic and strategic routes linking the capital city of Bujumbura to the central, northern and eastern parts of the country. This project is a factor that can contribute to the restoration of social cohesion through the intensification of trade exchanges between different communities and the resulting economic opportunities: promotion of the private sector and employment, especially for young people. More specifically, it should contribute to improving the employability of young people, in particular through the promotion of internships for young engineers, within the companies in charge of the works and the control and monitoring firm. The project has four components: (A) upgrade and asphalting works on the GitegaKibumbu segment (Mweya), including environmental protection measures; (B) ancillary works comprising rehabilitation of 15 km of rural roads and basic socio-economic infrastructure; (C) support to higher education institutions; and (D) project management and monitoring.