Total Project Cost
Investment Required
Stakeholders
Countries
Project Overview
Description
Construction of a paved road connecting Rihaid El Birdi in South Sudan to Om Dafug in the Central African Republic, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting peace-building efforts in this fragile cross-border region.
Objectives
Develop a modern paved road corridor connecting South Sudan and the Central African Republic through previously isolated border regions; enhance regional accessibility and connectivity in a post-conflict context; support peace-building and stabilization efforts through improved infrastructure; facilitate humanitarian operations and access to essential services; enable economic recovery and development in conflict-affected regions; strengthen cross-border trade and cooperation; reduce transportation costs and travel times in a region with severe infrastructure deficits; and create employment opportunities during construction and maintenance phases.
Strategic Importance
This road corridor represents a critical infrastructure initiative for peace-building, stabilization, and development in a fragile border region affected by conflict in both countries. By enhancing connectivity between South Sudan and the Central African Republic, the project directly supports implementation of peace agreements through tangible developmental benefits. The road will significantly improve humanitarian access in a region that has faced repeated crises, enhancing the effectiveness of both emergency response and longer-term development initiatives. From a regional perspective, the corridor will strengthen connectivity between Eastern and Central Africa, supporting cross-border cooperation and potentially contributing to regional stability. The project further addresses historical marginalization of border regions through investment in basic infrastructure that has been lacking.
Technical Specifications
Technology & Design
The road employs appropriate design for the tropical conditions with particular attention to drainage, climate resilience, and maintainability given limited local capacity. The design balances quality infrastructure with practical considerations for the challenging context, focusing on all-weather access and durability rather than high-speed capability.
Capacity & Size
Total corridor length approximately 230 km: South Sudan section: 130 km; CAR section: 100 km; Two-lane paved highway with appropriate safety features; Key bridges at seasonal river crossings; Basic border crossing facilities; Simple service facilities at key towns
Technical Details
Two-lane highway with 7m carriageway and 1.5m shoulders; Asphalt concrete surface with appropriate base layers for local conditions; Reinforced concrete bridges at major water crossings with scour protection; Enhanced drainage structures for tropical rainfall conditions; Basic border facilities with separate lanes for vehicles and pedestrians; Simple service facilities at key towns; Design speed 70-80 km/h depending on terrain; Signing and safety features appropriate for local context and literacy levels
Development, Implementation & Financial Details
Development Timeline
Feasibility and detailed design (2023-2025); Financing arrangements (2025-2026); Construction (2026-2029)
Latest Implementation Updates
UPDATEDFinancing Structure
The project will be financed through a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach with: African Development Bank grant funding through the Transition Support Facility; World Bank grant through the International Development Association (IDA); European Union grant through the Africa Investment Platform; and limited government contributions from both countries. Given the fragile context, grant financing will predominate with potential for concessional loans for specific components as stability improves.
Capital Structure
Grant funding from development partners (95%) with limited government counterpart funding (5%), reflecting the fragile context of both countries
Project Timeline
Start Date
January 2023
Expected Completion
December 2029
Development Timeline
Feasibility and detailed design (2023-2025); Financing arrangements (2025-2026); Construction (2026-2029)
Project Status History
Status 2020
Feasibility
Status 2022
Pre-Feasibility
Status 2024
Feasibility
Additional Project Details
Preparation Funding Gap
USD 4.50M
Construction Timeline
South Sudan section: 2026-2028; CAR section: 2027-2029; Border facilities: 2028-2029
Legal & Financial Advisors
CPCS Transcom providing technical advisory services; legal and financial services through UN implementation support
Market Analysis
Market Analysis
The region currently has minimal paved roads, with most transportation occurring on unpaved tracks that become impassable during rainy seasons. Travel times can exceed 15 hours for distances of 200 km, with significant insecurity risks. Humanitarian operations are severely constrained by poor accessibility, and cross-border economic activities are minimal despite historical connections between communities on both sides.
Market Demand
The road corridor will serve a population of approximately 450,000 people in the border regions of South Sudan and CAR. Current traffic is severely constrained by poor conditions (50-100 vehicles daily), with projected growth to 500-700 vehicles daily following completion as economic activity and stability improve.
Key Stakeholders
Project Sponsor
Ministry of Roads and Bridges (South Sudan), Ministry of Public Works and Transport (CAR)
Key Parties
Ministry of Roads and Bridges (South Sudan), Ministry of Public Works and Transport (CAR), United Nations Development Programme (implementation support), African Union Border Programme
Investors
African Development Bank, World Bank, European Union
Contractors & Operators
To be determined through international competitive bidding following project structuring
Risk Assessment
General Risk Assessment
Critical risks include: security challenges along the corridor; institutional capacity limitations in both countries; coordination complexities across borders in a post-conflict context; challenging procurement environment; potential for renewed conflict impacting implementation; and long-term maintenance sustainability. Risk mitigation involves comprehensive security management, significant capacity building components, conflict-sensitive implementation approaches, and phased implementation aligned with stability improvements.
Regulatory Risks
The project operates within a complex governance context, with coordination required between national, regional, and local authorities in post-conflict settings in both countries. Specific attention is given to land acquisition procedures in areas with traditional land rights systems, coordination of security arrangements, customs and immigration procedures at the border, and harmonization of technical standards.
Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact
The project requires comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment with attention to both natural and social environments. Key environmental considerations include protection of sensitive habitats along the corridor, sustainable management of construction materials sourcing, watershed protection especially at river crossings, and climate resilience features including enhanced drainage for intense tropical rainfall.
Social Impact
The road corridor is expected to generate approximately 1,500 direct jobs during construction, with specific targets for local employment to maximize peace-building benefits. Socioeconomic impacts include improved access to essential services (health, education, markets), enhanced humanitarian access, new cross-border economic opportunities, reduced isolation during rainy seasons, support for returning displaced populations, and tangible peace dividends demonstrating development progress in a neglected region.
Investment Opportunities
Private Sector Opportunities
While the challenging context limits commercial opportunities, targeted private sector participation is possible in: construction subcontracting with appropriate risk management; supply of materials and equipment; maintenance operations through performance-based contracts; and development of basic commercial services at the border crossing and key towns.
Next Steps & Agreements
Next Steps
Complete comprehensive feasibility studies; secure financing commitments; establish bilateral implementation framework; develop detailed designs; advance environmental and social impact assessments; develop security management framework; establish cross-border coordination mechanisms
Offtake Agreements
The project will operate under bilateral agreements between the countries and implementing partners (AfDB, World Bank), with specific maintenance commitments secured through the financing agreements. A dedicated maintenance fund will support operations for the initial 5 years following completion.
Contact Information
Eng. Simon Mijok Mijak, Minister of Roads and Bridges, South Sudan, Email: info@mrb.gov.ss; Hon. Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene, Minister of Public Works, CAR, Email: mintp@car.gov.cf
