The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a grant of $20.4m to the Union of Comoros Government to strengthen its economy with a road network rehabilitation project.

The project will be primarily focusing on the improvement of key roads infrastructure on the National Road-2 and Road-23 to enhance trade and spur economic growth.

The road network rehabilitation project will help in improving traffic flow in the region as well as improve access to basic services and the living conditions of the population.

The project will be carried out over the next four years in the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan, which account for 94% of the country’s total population of almost 756,000 inhabitants as per 2014 figures.

The project works includes the rehabilitation of a 47km highway stretch, as well as protection against sea erosion and supporting women’s empowerment and institutional capacity building using procurement and institutional reform specialists.

"The project works includes the rehabilitation of a 47km highway stretch, as well as protection against sea erosion."

The project is in line with the Comoros’ development strategies, as well as the Bank’s Country Strategy Paper (CSP) 2016-2020.

The funding for the project is provided through the African Development Fund (ADF) and European Union grants over four years at a total cost of $36.5m.

AfDB anticipates that the extension of the national road networks would help to develop the tourism and fisheries sectors which have been identified as potential growth poles for the national economy.

Image: A map showing the road works in the Union of Comoros. Photo: courtesy of African Development Bank Group.