Ethiopia and Nigeria are taking the lead in road and bridge projects across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a recent report by BMI, a Fitch Solutions Company, has revealed.
According to the report titled “Sub-Saharan African Transport Infrastructure Project Pipeline: Roads And Bridges Set To Drive Investment”, Ethiopia tops the list with 279 ongoing projects, followed by Nigeria with 105 projects.
The study highlights that Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania round out the top five nations in the region actively pursuing road infrastructure projects.
Collectively, these efforts form part of a broader pipeline encompassing 966 projects across SSA, with a total investment value of $76.3bn.
The report notes that SSA countries are prioritizing both trunk roads and feeder road networks to enhance connectivity and drive economic growth. Investments in the road sector are projected to significantly contribute to the expansion of the region’s transport infrastructure.
Highway and motorway infrastructure projects, though relatively few at 187, are the most capital-intensive, accounting for 20.9 per cent of the pipeline’s total value.
This emphasis reflects the strategic importance of highways in connecting major cities, facilitating trade, and improving access to rural areas.
Despite the ambitious scale of projects, road infrastructure development in SSA faces notable challenges. Many regions grapple with inadequate funding, limited technical capacity, and geographical obstacles, which complicate the construction and maintenance of transport networks.
Additionally, political instability and bureaucratic bottlenecks in some countries often delay project implementation.
Nigeria, for instance, continues to contend with deteriorating road conditions in critical areas, which impact economic activities and increase transportation costs.
Similarly, Ethiopia’s rugged terrain poses unique challenges for large-scale road construction, necessitating significant engineering innovation and financial resources.
As road projects advance, they are expected to unlock vast economic potential in SSA, boosting trade, reducing travel time, and improving access to essential services. The focus on infrastructure aligns with broader development goals aimed at fostering regional integration and attracting foreign investment.
While Ethiopia and Nigeria stand out for their commitment to road projects, the report emphasizes that continued investment and strategic partnerships will be crucial to overcoming the persistent challenges in road infrastructure development across the region.