African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved US$71.8mn grant and US$3.1mn loan to the Mozambique government for the construction of an asphalted 70km road section in Northern Mozambique, to improve the road network and connectivity with Tanzania.
The AfDB chief transport engineer, Aymen Osmani said the project is key for traders and road users, who transport goods between Tanzania and Mozambique.
“Following the completion, they will benefit from more direct and shorter journeys to the ports of Pemba in Mozambique and Mtwara in Tanzania, effectively enhancing regional trade,” he said. The new road will extend the paved road recently built in the Tanzanian side, financed by an AfDB project approved in 2012.
This phase concerns a 70km road section which starts at Negomano, located adjacent to the Ruvuma River, the natural frontier with Tanzania. The section ends in the locality of Roma.
The project will open up the isolated part of the country, contributing to the economic growth and the eradication of poverty, as well as foster cross border trade and reinforce 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. That first phase will be complemented by a second one, planned to start in 2019, which will connect Roma to Mueda and includes the construction of a one stop border post.
“The Bank is well positioned to support such development of regional corridors and road infrastructure due to its ability to coordinate programmes and projects across countries,” he said.
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.
