The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on Friday approved USD 71.8M grant and USD 3.1M loan to the Government of Mozambique for the construction of an asphalted 70-km road section in Northern Mozambique, to improve connectivity with Tanzania.
The project will open up that isolated part of the country, contributing to the economic growth and the eradication of poverty, as well as fostering cross border trade and regional integration.
The road segment Mueda – Negomano represents a missing link on the transport corridor between Mozambique and Tanzania. The Bank will finance the paving of the road for phase I.
The improvement of the road will reduce from three to one hour the time to travel between the two localities. This will be complemented by a second phase, planned to start in 2019, which will connect Roma to Mueda and includes the construction of a one-stop border post.
The new road will extend the paved road recently built in the Tanzanian side, financed by an AfDB project approved in 2012.
“The Bank is well positioned to support such development of regional corridors and road infrastructure due to its ability to coordinate programs and projects across countries. The outcomes of the project will significantly contribute to attaining the goals of the Bank’s High Five (Hi-5s) in the regions concerned, contributing to “Integrate Africa” explained Amadou Oumarou, Director of Transport and ICT department of the AfDB.
The project includes the development of a masterplan for transport infrastructure and connectivity for the Northern regions of Mozambique (Niassa, Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces).
Part of the financing will also be dedicated to improve the living conditions of the population in the project area and the preservation of wildlife, through a Social Inclusion and Biodiversity Program (SIBP).
The program includes seeks to increase accessibility to the transport system for locals and to increase their economic opportunities.
