AfDB and Chad Agreement for $44.9 Million Road Development Initiative

The African Development Bank has signed a $44.9 million grant with Chad for the asphalting of a key road segment and bridge, aimed at boosting infrastructure and economic growth in the Moyen-Chari region. The project will enhance connectivity, benefiting local populations by improving transportation and access to essential services. It sets the stage for additional funding for broader road network development in the country.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has finalized a significant grant agreement with the Chadian government, valued at $44.9 million. This funding will facilitate the asphalting of a 49.5-kilometer segment of the Kyabé-Singako road, inclusive of the construction of a 55-meter bridge. The signing took place on February 19, 2025, in N’Djamena, with Minister of State for Finance, Tahir Hamid Nguilin, representing Chad. He was accompanied by several governmental officials and a delegation from the International Monetary Fund.

This infrastructure project aims to enhance strategic development objectives for Chad, particularly in the economically promising Moyen-Chari region, known for its agriculture and livestock. Nguilin emphasized the region’s agricultural significance, noting its role in supplying fish and agricultural products throughout Chad and to international markets, reiterating the project’s potential for economic growth.

The road project’s primary benefit will be the improved connectivity between Kyabé and Singako, helping to diminish vulnerabilities faced by local populations, particularly women and youth. It promises to facilitate transportation, ensuring reliable movement of goods and people, thus linking rich agricultural and livestock zones to major consumer hubs such as Sarh, Moundou, N’Djamena, and Abéché.

Additionally, this agreement acts as a foundational step towards securing further financial assistance from the Islamic Development Bank for the subsequent segment of the extensive Mayo-Singako-Am Timan highway project, which is estimated at $275.5 million.

N’Kodia, the Bank’s Acting Representative in Chad, remarked on the AfDB’s strategic partnership with Chad, highlighting the positive impact this road construction will have on transport costs and living conditions by enhancing access to essential services such as healthcare and education.

The Kyabé-Mayo section serves as a crucial link within the larger N’Djamena-Moundou-Sarh-Kyabé-Am Timan-Abéché corridor. It forms part of a crucial infrastructural network the Chadian government is developing to ensure nationwide accessibility. The AfDB affirms its commitment to supporting Chad’s development goals through infrastructure and governance enhancement.

In summary, the African Development Bank has committed $44.9 million to support the asphalting of the Kyabé-Mayo road in Chad, a project expected to enhance transport infrastructure and spur economic growth. The initiative will provide vital connectivity for rural regions, particularly benefiting women and youth. Moreover, it paves the way for further significant investment in Chad’s road network, underscoring the Bank’s ongoing partnership with the Chadian government to foster development and improve living conditions.

Original Source: www.africa.com