According to the Bank’s website, the Somalia Road Infrastructure Programme – Additional Financing aims to scale up and consolidate ongoing investments to improve transport connectivity, facilitate cross-border trade and strengthen regional integration along the Horn of Africa corridor linking Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia. The programme focuses on upgrading and climate-proofing strategic road sections that are critical for national and regional mobility, notably the Beled Weyne–Kalabeyr road in Hirshabelle and the Zeila–Asha Addo road section forming part of the Lowyaddo–Borama corridor in Somaliland. In addition to road works, the programme includes the construction of selected socio-economic facilities, trade and transport facilitation measures, skills development and community empowerment activities, and institutional capacity building to ensure sustainability and resilience in a fragile context.

The total cost of the additional financing amounts to UA 55.80 million. The programme is financed entirely through Bank Group grants, comprising an African Development Fund (ADF-16) Performance-Based Allocation (PBA) grant, an ADF-16 Regional Operations (RO) envelope grant, and a Transition Support Facility (TSF) Pillar I grant. The Federal Republic of Somalia provides in-kind counterpart support, including security, office space, staffing and logistical facilitation. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing (MPWRH) for the Beled Weyne–Kalabeyr section and by the Somaliland Roads Development Agency (SRDA) for the Zeila–Asha Addo section, building on the institutional arrangements of the original Road Infrastructure Programme.

Environmental Category: [1] High Risk

In compliance with the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System’s (ISS) requirements, the overall programme is categorized as Category 1 due the associated high E&S risks that include involuntary resettlement, environmental degradation, health and safety hazards, pressure on natural resources, and potential impacts utilities, and vulnerable groups.

Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts: The scale of the planned civil works presents significant E&S risks if not effectively managed. Key environmental risks include accidental soil and water contamination from fuel and chemical spills, inadequate waste management, erosion and sedimentation of ephemeral streams, localized flooding due to terrain modification, and vegetation loss at borrow pits and along the right-of-way. Social risks comprise unsafe working conditions, potential labour disputes, gender-based violence and sexual exploitation risks, and community health and safety concerns. The project’s primary impacts include sustained noise levels of 80–100 dBA from blasting at quarry sites within 200m; and elevated air pollution levels extending 200 –300 m downwind of construction activities. The key social impact is the physical and economic displacement of approximately 60 Project-Affected Persons, including 20 roadside kiosks.

The total cost of the additional financing amounts to UA 55.80 million. The programme is financed entirely through Bank Group grants, comprising an African Development Fund (ADF-16) Performance-Based Allocation (PBA) grant, an ADF-16 Regional Operations (RO) envelope grant, and a Transition Support Facility (TSF) Pillar I grant. The Federal Republic of Somalia provides in-kind counterpart support, including security, office space, staffing and logistical facilitation.

Financial Instrument: Project Cycle Grant / Institutional Support and Rehabilitation Grant
Commitments (UA): 55,800,000
Conversion Rate USD (2026-01-24): 1,35078
Commitments (USD): 75,373,524

Name: Wambui Winfred GICHURU
Email: w.gichuru@afdb.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/request-for-documents. Under the AfDBs Disclosure and Access to Information policy, if you feel the Bank has omitted to publish information or your request for information is unreasonably denied, you can file an appeal at https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/appeals-process.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AfDB

The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), which is administered by the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the IRM, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a dispute resolution dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the AfDB complied with its policies to prevent environmental and social harms. You can submit a complaint electronically by emailing crmuinfo@afdb.org, b.kargougou@afdb.org, b.fall@afdb.org, and/or s.toure@afdb.org. You can learn more about the IRM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review-mechanism/