World Bank Approves $400 Million for Road Infrastructure Project in Southern Niger
The World Bank has approved a $400 million funding package to support resilient road infrastructure development in southern Niger. The financing, allocated through the International Development Association (IDA), includes a $380 million credit and a $20 million grant aimed at improving logistics and unlocking economic potential in the region.
Southern Niger Connectivity and Integration Project Details
The Southern Niger Connectivity and Integration Project will focus on:
- Rehabilitating the Maradi-Zinder section of Niger’s National Road 1 (RN1)
- Upgrading 525 km of feeder and rural roads to climate-resilient standards
- Improving year-round connectivity to markets, health centers, and schools
- Supporting road asset management and maintenance planning reforms
Economic and Social Impact
“The RN1 between Maradi and Zinder is the economic backbone of the country,” said Han Fraeters, World Bank Country Manager for Niger. “This investment will stimulate agricultural trade and create new businesses in a country with the world’s youngest population.”
The project area serves over 16 million people across Niger and Nigeria, with particular attention given to vulnerable populations. The Maradi region hosts about 100,000 forcibly displaced persons (10% of Niger’s total displaced population), with 75% being women and children facing higher poverty rates.
Focus on Vulnerable Communities
Guillermo Diaz-Fanas, the project’s Task Team Leader, emphasized: “By addressing food insecurity and improving access to services, we can transform these communities into development engines for the RN1 basin.”
The six-year initiative will allocate 10% of its funding through IDA’s Window for Refugees and Host Communities program. The project also includes studies for future infrastructure and value chain investments in the region.
Source: AllAfrica