In a landmark move to propel Rwanda’s strategic infrastructure development, the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) has endorsed a USD84 million counter-guarantee, unlocking a consortium-led financing package exceeding USD322 million for the construction of Rwanda’s New International Airport in Bugesera District.
Spearheaded by BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, acting as Mandated Lead Arranger and Facility Agent, the lending consortium includes Bank of Kigali, Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), and KCB Bank Kenya. This capital infusion enables three contractors to advance a transformative project designed to position Rwanda as a key trade and logistics gateway in the region.
Valued at over USD2 billion and slated for completion by mid-2028, the airport marks a critical pillar in Rwanda’s Vision 2050, its roadmap to transition into an upper-middle-income nation by 2035 and achieve high-income status by 2050. The project also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), facilitating continent-wide mobility of goods, people, and services.
ATIDI’s guarantee empowers local banks to surpass their Single Obligor Limits (SOL), ensuring capital relief and streamlining project execution. Commenting on the milestone, Manuel Moses, CEO of ATIDI, stated:
“This project is about unlocking regional value chains and ensuring Africa trades more with itself. Our de-risking support amplifies banks’ lending capacity, directly contributing to Rwanda’s development priorities.”
Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, echoed the sentiment:
“We are honored to lead this transformational effort. This partnership reflects our commitment to financing national infrastructure that drives long-term economic value.”
Rwanda’s longstanding partnership with ATIDI has enabled robust investment across sectors ranging from construction and energy to agriculture and ICT. ATIDI currently holds over USD611.9 million in gross exposure in Rwanda, with total policies issued exceeding USD1.45 billion in transaction value.
The development underscores ATIDI’s role as a continental catalyst for sustainable growth, regional integration, and financial innovation—earning it the 2025 African Banker Awards’ Development Finance Institution of the Year.
