The African Development Bank (AfDB) has granted Tunisia a loan of €80.16 million to implement the project for the Phase 3 of the Road Infrastructure Modernization Program, it said in a statement.
Approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on last December 9, the EUR 86.2-million project will be financed by a EUR 80.1 million loan from the Bank (92.98% of the total project cost) and a EUR 6 million counterpart contribution from the Tunisian Government.
The plan aims to upgrade188.9 km of classified roads in seven governorates: Kef, Kasserine, Sousse, Sfax, Kairouan, Siliana and Gafsa, where substantial economic potential remains unrealized due to transport constraints largely as a result of the poor condition of roads.
The Bank’s intervention will help to improve the quality of Tunisia’s road network and conditions for road users in the target areas.
It will help to create an efficient and sustainable transport system, which can support growth and create favorable conditions for the movement of goods and people in and between Tunisia’s regions.
The transport sector plays an important role in the Tunisian economy, accounting for about five percent of GDP and providing 160,000 jobs, directly and indirectly.
The project, which will run from 2025 to 2030, is a continuation of two earlier phases of the Road Infrastructure Modernization Program.
Improvement of road sections linking border regions of Tunisia and Algeria will help to achieve regional balance as regards road infrastructure quality in disadvantaged areas.
It will also help to reduce youth unemployment by creating jobs to maintain the network, alleviating poverty in vulnerable parts of the country.
