Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza on Thursday inaugurated a road built by a Chinese company in Makamba Province in the south of the African country.

With a length of some 44.5 km, the road connects the northwestern commune of Mugina on the border with Tanzania to the city of Nyanza Lac in Makamba.

It was built by STECOL Corporation, a Chinese enterprise focusing on engineering and construction works, with a funding of 51 billion Burundi francs (about 29 million U.S. dollars) from the African Development Bank.

The project aims to improve transportation and boost trade with Tanzania, Burundi's neighbor.

During his visit in Makamba Province, Nkurunziza also inaugurated other public infrastructure projects, including schools, health centers and hotels, in the context of celebrating Burundi's 55th independence anniversary marked on July 1.

In his remarks, Nkurunziza commended citizens in Makamba for promoting development activities.

"I congratulate you for promoting development activities and for safeguarding peace and security. I also congratulate you for welcoming returnees who are numerously coming back from exile and for keeping their belongings safe until they come back," he said.