China Road and Bridge Corporation boss speaks out on his 30-year stay in Rwanda, contribution to infrastructure development

By Africa China Review staff

Mr. Li Jianbo- Director General CRBC.  Photo: Africa China Review.

Li Jianbo, the Director General of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has stayed in Rwanda since the late 1970s, working in different capacities in the construction and development of the country’s infrastructure.

CRBC is a large-scale, international contractor owned by the Chinese government, serving as a flagship and platform for the overseas operations of China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC).

It is the company behind a number of big projects in Rwanda for example: the construction of the Kigali-Rusumo Road as early as 1974, the Kigali International Airport, the Amahoro Stadium, to mention but a few.

China-Africa Review magazine sat down with Mr. Li for an interview where he shared about his experience in Rwanda, CRBC’s contribution to the country’s infrastructure, among other things.

Read here for the excerpts:

Question: When did you first come to Rwanda?

Answer: Our company China Road and Bridge Corporation has been here since 1974. However, for me, I first came here in 1989.

Question: How did you find yourself here, and how has your experience in the country during your long stay?

Answer: After completing my studies, I got employed as a worker for China Road and Bridge Corporation. Then, the company sent me here for work, and I have been here for about 30 years. If you do not like a place, you cannot live there for such a long time.

This country has developed very quickly, especially after 2000. And here in Rwanda, the first thing I like is the security, and how the country is governed. We have good leadership here. Also, the people are very kind.  And the climate is the best.

Question: Now, talking about China Road and Bridge Corporation, what can you say has been the company’s contribution in the infrastructure development of Rwanda?

CRBC road  construction works at Kicukiro-Kigali. Photo: Africa China Review

Answer: Until now we have built more than 70 percent of all the asphalt roads.

When our East African people come here, they can see that the roads are very good.

Question: How serious have the infrastructural needs of the country been?

Answer: During the genocide against the Tutsi, this country was almost destroyed completely. That means we need to work on many things, for example constructing many roads. We have an opportunity that the local people here they work very hard during this.

Question: How many kilometers has your company built so far?

Answer: About 1400 kilometers.

Question: This year, Rwanda and China will mark 50 years since they established diplomatic ties. You have been here for long, how can you describe the relationship between the two countries?

Answer: After 1994, the relations are becoming better and better. In 2018 our President visited Rwanda, and our relationship is something like a brotherly one.

Question: To what extent do you employ Rwandans in your company?

Answer:Before Covid-19, we used to employ between 3,000 to 5,000 local staff during our projects for China Road and Bridge Corporation.

Question: Can you speak some Kinyarwanda?

Answer: I can say some words like: Urakoze cyane (means, thank you very much), Amakuru? (means, how is the going?)

You know for me, I cannot speak Kinyarwanda well, but ukwumva nisawa (I can hear it). Even in a meeting, I can know what they are saying.

Question: Have you taught some of your coworkers to speak a little Chinese?

Answer: Some of our people on the working site can speak some Chinese. Some of them can even have a meeting with us.

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