CRBC was among the first international firms to resume operations in Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, partnering with the government to help rebuild a nation that had been devastated.
Recently, CRBC drew renewed attention in Rwanda after the Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed its partnership with the company to introduce self-flying air taxis in the country.
These electric drones, known as eVTOLs, are manufactured by the Chinese company EHang. They are 100% electric, capable of carrying either two passengers or more than 620 pounds of cargo. Each drone can cover a distance of up to 30 kilometers and sustain a flight of about 25 minutes per charge.
Huang Qilin, Director General of the CRBC Rwanda Office, described the partnership as a bridge between innovation in China and Rwanda.
'We are Rwanda's steadfast friends. We are a bridge linking innovations from China with those in Rwanda. We want Rwanda to become a model for Africa,' he said.
The company is currently in discussions with the Rwandan government on how this drone technology can be scaled up to support transportation and tourism.
Huang emphasized CRBC's broader ambition to contribute significantly to Rwanda's economic growth through the transfer of advanced technologies.
'I call on other companies from China and around the world to invest in Rwanda. This country offers one of the best environments for investment,' he added.
Over the past five decades, CRBC has played a key role in Rwanda's infrastructure development. According to Huang, the company has been responsible for building 70% of the paved roads in the country.
He said CRBC has already implemented more than 60 major construction projects in Rwanda, with a combined value exceeding $1 billion.
'Just think about the time we have been here. We want Rwanda to achieve its vision of becoming a prosperous nation, and we are determined to play our part. Our ambition is to remain in Rwanda for more than 100 years, with each decade marked by visible achievements,' said Huang Qilin.
Among CRBC's landmark projects is the Kivu Belt Road, which runs along the shores of Lake Kivu, connecting the districts of Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke, and Rusizi. The road was completed in 2017.
Over the past 15 years, CRBC has also built 36 kilometers of roads in different parts of Kigali. Seven years ago, it embarked on another project to construct an additional 54 kilometers of road networks.
'Three years ago, we completed the Sonatubesâ€"Gahanga road project. It continues to play an important role in Rwanda's development,' Huang noted.
Beyond roads, CRBC has made significant contributions to other strategic infrastructure. The company is part of the consortium constructing the Bugesera International Airport, expected to be completed in 2028.
Once operational, the airport will handle up to eight million passengers annually and 150,000 tons of cargo.
Huang said CRBC is also responsible for building the airport's primary cargo terminal.
'This facility will house equipment capable of processing more than 10,000 tons. It will be the largest steel structure of its kind in Rwanda,' he explained.
Regionally, CRBC is the company behind the 472-kilometer Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking the Kenyan cities of Mombasa and Nairobi.
Huang added that the firm is also looking ahead to the possibility of extending the SGR network further to connect Kenya and Uganda.
In Rwanda, one of the most frequently discussed railway projects is the line connecting Rwanda and Tanzania.
An agreement to construct the Isakaâ€"Kigali railway, covering 532 kilometers, was signed on March 9, 2018. The project was initially valued at $3.6 billion.
Tanzania, which borders Rwanda to the east, is expected to serve as the main transit route for the railway line into Rwanda. Markers have already been placed along the proposed route.
Under the agreement, Rwanda is responsible for contributing more than $1.5 billion, while Tanzania, which covers the larger portion of the line, is expected to provide over $2.5 billion.
'What we want is to ensure that, based on our capacity, we fulfill everything required for the construction of a railway in Rwanda. It would be a highly beneficial project,' Huang Qilin said.
CRBC operates in more than 30 African countries, with each branch capable of delivering large-scale national projects.
By 2024, the company had built approximately 1,500 kilometers of roads in West Africa. In Rwanda alone, over its 50 years of presence, CRBC has created more than 500,000 jobs.
The company employs more than 2,200 Rwandans, who represent 96% of its workforce, with women making up around 20%.
IGIHE
