Diane Uwimbabazi, a trader at one of the roadside markets that have benefited from the feeder roads.
It was a bright Monday morning in Rwanda’s Gatsibo District when we found ourselves seeking refuge under the generous shade of a large tree, escaping the scorching sun alongside a group of cheerful rice farmers from the Corimak Cooperative. My colleagues and I were there to assess the quality of the construction of the feeder road works and understand their impact on rural communities.
Eagerly gathered around their leaders, these farmers passionately shared how a newly constructed feeder road had transformed their lives—and expressed their desire for further improvements.
The Corimak Cooperative, known for its expansive rice farms spread across a wetland, is home to 1,300 farmers, 412 of them women. In addition to rice, they grow maize and bananas on the surrounding slopes, showing a community deeply rooted in agriculture.
The cooperative's president, Deo Ndayambaje, explained to us the immense hardships they once faced. "Before this feeder road, transport was a nightmare," he said. Large trucks could not climb the steep hills, forcing farmers to hire smaller vehicles to take their harvests to accessible roads. This logistical challenge ate into their profits as they had to bear the additional transportation costs.
Godlive Mukanzingiye, a 68-year-old mother of 12, told us how her life has been transformed. Thanks to the new feeder road, Godlive now has easy access from her home, her children reach school easily, and the reliable income from rice farming has improved her creditworthiness, making bank loans more accessible.
In Gatsibo District, feeder roads span 83-kilometers. It is one of 10 districts benefiting from the Feeder Roads Development Project, which aims to enhance all-year round connectivity to agricultural markets. 96% of the targeted 720 kilometers has been completed, with the project set to conclude in December 2025.
The initiative is jointly financed by the Government of Rwanda, USAID, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the World Bank ($45 million IDA credit).
An unexpected benefit also emerged from the improved infrastructure. Rice straw, previously burned as waste after harvesting, now has value. Farmers neatly pile the straw along roadsides, making it easy for trucks and motorcycles to collect for use as farm mulch or cattle feed. This simple shift has turned agricultural waste into additional income.
The roads have brought more than transportation improvements. During their rehabilitation, markets were constructed to provide better working conditions for traders like Diane Uwimbabazi, who showed us the bustling new market. "Before, we sold our produce by the dusty roadside.
Now, 70 women and 4 men work comfortably under proper roofs, equipped with water and electricity," Uwimbabazi explained. "We can safely extend our business hours from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, protect our goods from weather, and trade our produce easily."
With nearly 700 kilometers of feeder roads completed across 10 districts, this infrastructure is not just a pathway, but a lifeline. It has empowered over 1.6 million beneficiaries by reducing transport costs, restoring farmers bargaining power with transporters, and boosting milk production in districts like Nyagatare through timely market access, leading to higher incomes.As we wrapped up our cheerful conversation under the protective shade of the tree, it was evident that feeder roads are doing more than just connecting locations—they are boosting incomes and transforming lives for communities like those in Gatsibo.
I’ve been working with Rwanda’s transport sector for more than 13 years but listening to the farmers explain how their incomes have increased and their lives improved was truly heartwarming.
Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t agree more with Agatha Mushimiyimana, the vice president of the Corimak Rice Cooperative, who reminded us that not every cooperative member has direct access to this transformational road yet. "We see the difference clearly," she emphasized, advocating for expansion of the feeder roads.
Implementation status of the Feeder Roads Development Project in Gatsibo District
- 83 km of feeder road rehabilitation completed.
- 109,000 residents in Gatsibo benefited, of whom 52% are women.
- 2,247 jobs were created for local residents during road construction, with 43% held by women.
- 11 markets and 7 storage facilities connected to feeder roads.
- 36 schools connected to rehabilitated feeder roads.
- 18 health centers connected to rehabilitated feeder roads.
Join the Conversation