The long-awaited construction of the Kigali fresh produce wholesale market could start next year, after the European Union reached a deal with the government to fund it. The project, to be constructed under two phases, will cost an estimated Rwf29.5 billion (€26 mln), according to estimates from the National Agriculture Exports Development Board (NAEB). With the capacity to handle 180,000 tons of fruits and vegetables every year, the market was expected to serve some 100 wholesalers.
The first phase of the market - which is expected to be set up at the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Gasabo D-strict — was to be complete and operational by 2018. However, the project has faced a series of postponements owing to a combination of financial constraints and delays in fine-tuning the project designs.
Belen Calvo Uyarra, the EU Ambassador to Rwanda, said that the joint Team Europe was working together with the EU Member States for the construction of the Kigali Wholesale Market, and “we hope that in the next year we will be able to move forward”.
Source: newtimes.co.rw