The project also includes the construction of a 55-meter bridge. This initiative aligns with Chad's strategic infrastructure goals and aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic resilience.
Key Details of the Agreement
The agreement was formalized on February 19, 2025, in N’Djamena by Tahir Hamid Nguilin, Chad’s Minister of State for Finance, Budget, Economy, Planning and International Cooperation, and Claude N’Kodia, AfDB’s Acting Representative in Chad. High-ranking officials such as Amir Idriss Kourda, Minister for Infrastructure, Access-Improvement and Road Maintenance, and a delegation from the International Monetary Fund were also present.
The funding will support one of Chad's priority development projects by improving transport infrastructure in the Moyen-Chari region. This area is a vital agricultural and livestock hub with significant economic potential.
Economic and Social Impact
The Kyabé-Mayo road project is expected to deliver transformative benefits:
- Improved Connectivity: The road will connect southern and eastern regions of Chad, facilitating year-round transportation of goods and people.
- Boosted Trade: Agricultural and livestock products from Moyen-Chari and Salamat will reach major consumer centers like Sarh, Moundou, N'Djamena, and Abéché more efficiently.
- Regional Integration: The project supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enhancing links to domestic and regional markets.
- Social Resilience: Local populations, particularly women and youth, will benefit from reduced transport costs and improved access to health and education facilities.
Strategic Importance
This project is part of a broader effort to develop Chad’s transport network. The Kyabé-Mayo section is a critical link in the N'Djamena-Moundou-Sarh-Kyabé-Am Timan-Abéché corridor. By addressing one of the country's least dense road networks in Africa, this initiative aims to reduce high transport costs and promote economic integration.
The Islamic Development Bank is expected to co-finance subsequent sections of this corridor at an estimated cost of $275.5 million.
Timeline and Implementation
The project will be implemented over five years (2025–2029). It builds on AfDB’s prior interventions in Chad’s transport sector, such as developing the Koumra-Sahr section of the same corridor.
"The Bank’s intervention policy targets the country’s main agricultural production areas. This project exemplifies our commitment to lifting Chad out of fragility while strengthening its population's resilience," said Serge N’Guessan, AfDB’s Director General for Central Africa.
