Total Project Cost
Investment Required
Stakeholders
Countries
Project Overview
Description
Comprehensive modernization and expansion of National Road RN01 between Ghardaia and Tamenrasset in Algeria, a critical segment of the Trans-Saharan Highway connecting North Africa with Sub-Saharan Africa through improved infrastructure adapted to challenging desert conditions.
Objectives
Modernize and expand the key segment of the Trans-Saharan Highway connecting northern and southern Algeria; improve safety and efficiency of desert transportation on this strategic route; reduce travel times and vehicle operating costs for passengers and freight; enhance connectivity between the Mediterranean region and Sub-Saharan Africa; support economic development in the Saharan regions of Algeria; facilitate regional integration between North Africa and the Sahel/West Africa; create employment opportunities during construction and maintenance phases; and establish sustainable infrastructure adapted to extreme desert conditions.
Strategic Importance
The Trans-Saharan Highway represents one of Africa's most ambitious transport corridors, connecting Mediterranean countries with the Sahel and West Africa. The Ghardaia-Tamenrasset segment in Algeria forms a critical central link in this continental corridor, traversing challenging Saharan terrain that has historically limited north-south connectivity. Through modernization of this segment, the project directly contributes to continental integration objectives by enhancing physical connectivity between regions that have limited transportation links. From a national perspective, the improved corridor supports balanced territorial development by enhancing connectivity to Saharan regions of Algeria. The project further contributes to regional stability and security through improved infrastructure in remote border regions, while facilitating greater economic and cultural exchange between North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Technical Specifications
Technology & Design
The project employs specialized design for extreme desert conditions, with particular attention to sand mitigation, heat resistance, water conservation, and self-sufficiency for remote sections. Advanced features include intelligent transportation systems for safety monitoring, emergency response capabilities, and climate-resilient infrastructure elements.
Capacity & Size
Total corridor length approximately 900 km: Northern section (Ghardaia-In Salah): 400 km; Southern section (In Salah-Tamenrasset): 500 km; Upgraded 2-lane highway with enhanced safety features and frequent passing lanes; 8 major service areas with comprehensive facilities including emergency services; Advanced monitoring systems for remote sections
Technical Details
Enhanced 2-lane highway with 3.75m lanes and 3m shoulders; Frequent passing lanes (approximately 30% of the total length); Specialized sand mitigation measures including elevated sections, protective barriers, and desert-adapted landscaping; Heat-resistant pavement specifications for extreme temperatures (exceeding 50°C); Enhanced visibility features including reflective markings and solar-powered lighting at critical sections; Modern service areas every 150-180 km with fuel, rest facilities, accommodation, emergency services, and water reserves; Intelligent transportation systems for remote monitoring, emergency detection, and response coordination; Renewable energy systems (solar) for powering service areas and monitoring systems; Water management systems including water harvesting at appropriate locations; Emergency response bases at strategic locations
Development, Implementation & Financial Details
Development Timeline
Detailed design (2019-2020); Financing arrangements (2020); Construction in multiple packages (2020-2026)
Latest Implementation Updates
UPDATEDFinancing Structure
The project is financed primarily through national resources with: Algeria national budget allocations; sovereign financing through the National Road Fund; and dedicated maintenance funding through the National Road Fund's recurrent budget. Financing is fully secured through national commitments, reflecting the strategic importance of the corridor.
Capital Structure
Public financing through sovereign resources (100%)
Project Timeline
Start Date
May 2019
Expected Completion
December 2026
Development Timeline
Detailed design (2019-2020); Financing arrangements (2020); Construction in multiple packages (2020-2026)
Project Status History
Status 2020
Structuring
Status 2022
Structuring
Status 2024
Implementation
Additional Project Details
Preparation Funding Gap
USD 0.00M
Construction Timeline
Northern section (Ghardaia-In Salah): 2020-2023; Southern section (In Salah-Tamenrasset): 2021-2026
Legal & Financial Advisors
Technical studies by CTTP (Algeria); legal and financial services through national agencies
Market Analysis
Market Analysis
Current north-south connectivity through the Sahara is severely constrained by challenging desert conditions and limited infrastructure. The RN01 handles moderate but growing traffic (1,500-3,000 vehicles daily), with significant strategic importance for national cohesion, security, and access to southern regions and neighboring countries. The corridor plays a critical role in Algeria's growing trade with Niger, Mali, and Nigeria, with significant long-term potential as continental integration progresses.
Market Demand
The modernized corridor is designed to handle current traffic volumes with capacity for growth to 5,000-7,000 vehicles daily. The corridor serves southern Algeria (population approximately 1 million), with wider benefits for connectivity to Niger, Mali, and Nigeria (combined population over 250 million).
Key Stakeholders
Project Sponsor
Algerian Ministry of Public Works, National Road Agency (ANA)
Key Parties
Algerian Ministry of Public Works, National Road Agency (ANA), National Road Fund, Wilaya (provincial) authorities of Ghardaia, In Salah, and Tamenrasset
Investors
Government of Algeria, National Road Fund
Contractors & Operators
Multiple contractors through national competitive bidding, primarily Algerian construction companies (COSIDER, ENGOA, ENGTP) with international technical partners
Risk Assessment
General Risk Assessment
Key risks include: extreme environmental conditions including temperatures exceeding 50°C, sandstorms, and flash flooding in certain areas; sand encroachment requiring continuous mitigation; remoteness creating logistical challenges for construction and maintenance; limited water availability for construction; and security considerations in remote border-adjacent regions. Risk mitigation includes specialized desert-adapted design, robust logistics planning, water conservation systems, comprehensive security management, and advanced monitoring technologies.
Regulatory Risks
The project operates within the established national regulatory framework for transportation infrastructure, with specific considerations for operation in Saharan regions including specialized safety regulations, emergency response protocols, and coordination with security services.
Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact
The project has completed comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment with approved management plans currently under implementation. Key environmental considerations include protection of fragile desert ecosystems, sustainable water management in an extremely water-scarce region, management of construction impacts in pristine environments, mitigation of landscape impacts in areas of natural beauty, and climate resilience measures including flash flood protection and heat management.
Social Impact
The road modernization is generating approximately 12,000 direct jobs during construction and will create an estimated 1,500 permanent jobs in operations, maintenance, and services. Socioeconomic benefits include improved access to services for remote communities, enhanced mobility between northern and southern regions, reduced isolation during extreme weather events, new economic opportunities along the corridor, and strengthened national cohesion through better connectivity to Saharan regions.
Investment Opportunities
Private Sector Opportunities
While construction is primarily implemented through state enterprises and national contractors, opportunities exist in: specialized technical services for desert infrastructure; supply of specialized materials and equipment; development and operation of service areas and rest facilities; maintenance operations through performance-based contracts; emergency response services; and consulting services for specialized aspects of desert infrastructure.
Next Steps & Agreements
Next Steps
Complete ongoing construction; strengthen corridor management capacity; develop long-term maintenance framework adapted to desert conditions; enhance service facilities along the corridor; implement advanced safety and emergency response systems for remote sections
Offtake Agreements
Maintenance contracts utilize performance-based specifications adapted to desert conditions, with clear key performance indicators and monitoring systems. Service area concessions establish service standards, maintenance responsibilities, and commercial operations frameworks with specific provisions for emergency services.
Contact Information
Eng. Kamel Nasri, Minister of Public Works, Algeria, Email: contact@mtpt.gov.dz; Eng. Abdelkader Hammou, Director General, National Road Agency, Email: dg@ana.dz
