Completed Development AidData Chinese Aid

Chinese Government provides RMB 40 million interest-free loan for Presidential Palace Expansion Project (Linked to Record ID#12303)

¥40M RMB

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Government of Burundi
Country	Burundi
Start Date	Nov 01, 2010
End Date	Sep 26, 2029
Duration	6,904 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`57118`

Grant Description

Chinese Government provides RMB 40 million interest-free loan for Presidential Palace Expansion Project In November 2010, the Chinese Government and the Government of Burundi signed an agreement that committed funding for a Presidential Palace Expansion Project.

The Presidential Palace (Palais Présidentiel Ntare Rushatsi) is located in Gasenyi, which is 8 km northeast of Bujumbura's city center in Mutimbuzi district.

This project involved the construction of a presidential office building, security guard houses, and sewage treatment facilities in a 10,000 square meters (107,600 sq ft) area. It also involved the installation of equipment.

The Chinese Government reportedly provided RMB 40 million for the implementation of this project, and it was funded with the proceeds from an RMB 50 million interest-free loan agreement that the Chinese Government and the Government of Burundi signed on August 21, 2009 (see Record ID#12303).

📋 Loan / Grant Terms

💰 Loan Amountcarried the following terms: 20 year maturity

📅 Maturity20 years

⏳ Grace Period10 years

💹 Interest Rate0%

China First Highway Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and Hunan Construction Engineering Group were the contractors responsible for implementation. An official groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 21, 2015. However, construction did not begin until March 4, 2016. This project was ultimately completed and handed over to the authorities on February 14, 2019.

The total reported cost of this project is RMB 147 million, but it is unclear if the remaining RMB 107 million came from a Chinese Government grant or interest-free loan.

📋 Staff Comments

This project is also known as the Ntare Rutshatsi House Project.
The French project title is Projet Du Palais Presidentiel or Palais Présidentiel NTARE Rushatsi.
The Chinese project title is 中国援建布隆迪总统府项目 or 布隆迪总统府项目.
A second phase of the project — that involved the construction of parking lots, drainage ditches, and office facilities — was undertaken by the China First Highway Engineering Group Co., Ltd. However, it is not clear if the cost of the second phase required supplemental funding from the Chinese Government (beyond the RMB 40 million that is captured here). Also, note that the interest-free loan which supported this project is omitted from the SAIS-CARI database of Chinese loan commitments (released in July 2020).

📚 Sources & References

How a presidential palace in Burundi fits in with China’s plans in Africa
China-aided state house handed over to Burundi
Cérémonie de remise et de réception du palais présidentiel de Gasenyi
中国向布隆迪移交援建总统府项目
中国援建的布隆迪总统府正式向布方移交
Hunan Daily丨Famous 'Architectural Hunan Army' in Africa
Project News
Lu Juncan agree to the Chairman of the Working Group for the Second Phase of the Burundi Presidential Palace Project Working Group Chairman Mr. Tarsis signed the second phase of the Presidential Palace feasibility study and inspection work summary
The Chinese government's aid to Burundi's presidential palace project held a groundbreaking ceremony
Hunan Construction Engineering Aid Outstanding Performance
China offers brand new presidential palace to Burundi
Burundi inaugurates its Presidential Palace NTARE RUTSHATSI HOUSE, with China, 2015
China handed over to Burundi the project to build the presidential palace
China handed over to Burundi the project to build the presidential palace
China handed over to Burundi the project to build the presidential palace
China-aided Burundi Presidential Palace Project Held Opening Ceremony
集团等单位承建的中国援布隆迪总统府项目举行盛大启动仪式
The China-aid Burundi Presidential Palace project with the participation of the First Public Bureau Group is officially launched
China-aided Burundi Presidential Palace Project Held Opening Ceremony
Sino-Burundian cooperation, give and take
PRESS RELEASE OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ON WEDNESDA Y 21 AND THURSDA Y 22 JANUAR Y 2015
中国政府援助布隆迪总统府项目举行开工仪式
LOI N°1/ 007 DU 05 MARS 2015
援博茨瓦纳卡尊古拉小学项目对外实施协议在博签订 Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.