China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) created more than 500,000 jobs for Rwandans during its 52 years of operations in the country, while completing more than 90 projects and building about 1,500 kilometres of roads, according to a new report.
The figures were contained in the 2026 Social Responsibility Report of Chinese Enterprises in Rwanda, the first report of its kind covering Chinese companies and institutions operating in the country. It was launched in Kigali as Rwanda and China marked 55 years of diplomatic relations.
CRBC has been operating in Rwanda since the 1970s and has become one of the Chinese companies with the longest presence in the country.
In 2024, the company marked 50 years of operations in Rwanda, with the government recognising its contribution to road infrastructure, market access and employment.
Among the projects cited in the new report was the Kivu Belt Road, where about 1,500 Rwandans were employed during construction. The road links districts along Lake Kivu in Western Province.
Employment linked to Chinese-backed projects extended beyond CRBC. PowerChina’s Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project provided 1,064 local jobs, while C&D Garment employed more than 6,000 Rwandans, with women making up 80 per cent of its workforce.
Chinese companies have also expanded their activities into healthcare, manufacturing, technology and vocational training.
Shanghai Construction Group constructed the expanded Masaka Hospital, which has 837 beds and is expected to serve more than 300,000 people. A traditional Chinese medicine programme operating at Masaka and Kibagabaga hospitals had recorded 14,913 patient visits by July.
In skills development, Huawei’s DigiTruck programme trained 1,836 people over the previous 12 months, while Forever TVET had trained more than 2,500 graduates. The Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda had reached nearly 30,000 learners through 14 teaching sites over 17 years.
The report further documented CRBC’s role during the 2025 floods in Western Province, saying the company cleared 48 kilometres of affected roads within 30 hours.
Environmental projects included 1,500 hectares of bamboo planted from a 2,129-hectare concession and a 44.28-kilowatt-peak solar photovoltaic energy-storage system installed at Forever TVET.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said Chinese enterprises had contributed through employment, skills transfer and investment in different sectors.
“In Rwanda, Chinese enterprises have been working hard, creating jobs, transferring skills, contributing to economic and social development,” Gao said.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation Callixte Kanamugire said Chinese businesses had established a presence across infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, information and communication technology and trade.
The launch also included an initiative on responsible mining, with participating businesses committing to legal compliance, workers’ rights, environmental protection, engagement with local communities and responsible procurement.
The report was released as Rwanda and China marked 55 years of diplomatic relations, with economic cooperation between the two countries extending from the road projects that brought CRBC to Rwanda more than five decades ago to manufacturing, healthcare, technology and skills development today.
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