CMA CGM OFFERS NEW RAIL OPTION TO PARAKOU

(BENIN) & SOLUTIONS TO NIAMEY (NIGER)

Full Story On Page 5

AFRICACTBL-WATCH

ISSUE 29 | MAY 2016

1

AFRICACTBL-WATCH

ISSUE 29 | MAY 2016

Contents

03 | Corridor Review

05 | African Group News

23 | Western Africa

07 | Eastern & Southern Africa

CMA CGM Offers New Rail Option To Parakou, Benin, Move Opens Up Niger Rail/Road Solution To Niamey

Regional: 13th Northern Corridor Integration Projects [NCIP] Summit / NTB Removal Saves US$7 Million Over 5-Years / TMEA Issues US$7.6 Million For LIFT Fund / Sirari Corridor Accessibility: Isebania-Kisii-Ahero Road Rehabilitation ProjectDRC East: DRC Eyes Membership Of East African Railway ProjectEthiopia: Gondar District Road ConstructionKenya: Kenha To Construct Bridge Across Likoni Channel / Kenya-Ethiopia Road Nearing CompletionMozambique: Infrastructure Building Priorities Named / Tete-Zambezia Railway Tender EndsNamibia: The Harambee Prosperity Plan Pillar 4, Transport Infrastructure DevelopmentRwanda: Egypt, Rwanda In New Drive To Boost Trade / Rwanda-Tanzania Forum To Strengthen Bilateral Trade / Kagitumba - Kayonza - Rusumo Road To Be Rehabilitated / Rwanda Looks To Tanzania For Rail Transport As Uganda Falters On SGRRwanda/Tanzania: DIKKM Railway Line On TrackSouth Africa: Transnet Prioritises DiversificationSouth Sudan: Peace Deal Will Boost Trade Via Kenya / COMESA Regional Customs Transit Guarantee Scheme JoinedTanzania: Tanzania Evaluating Decline In Cargo Volumes / Landmark Nyerere Bridge Launched / Tanga-Bagamoyo Highway Construction To Start Next Fiscal Year / China In US$6 Billion SGR OfferTanzania/Zambia: TAZARA Tops Tanzania’s Priority ListUganda: Investment Authority To Be Overseen By Trade Ministry / Japan Pledges Shs 66 Billion For Gulu Roads / Transit Trucks To Have Easier Access To Uganda Border / Uganda To Build Bukasa Inland Port On Lake VictoriaZambia: President Launches Mongu-Kalabo Road / Road Projects Launched In Mansa District / Mpolokoso-Nsama Road / Nakonde-Tunduma Border Problems To Be AddressedZimbabwe: 57th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair [ZITF] / Major Road Construction Plan / Zimbabwe Government Launches US$1.7 Million Road Condition Survey

Burkina Faso: IDB Funds Asphalting Of Burkina HighwayDRC: Batshamba-Tshikapa Road Development: Lovua-Tshikapa BridgeCote d’Ivoire/Senegal: ECOWAS Requests Support For Dakar-Abidjan Corridor ProjectGambia/Senegal: ECOWAS, AU & UN Joint Mission Appeal For Border Crisis DialogueLiberia: President Breaks Ground For Gbapolu Road ProjectMali: Mali Launches Bond To Improve RoadsNigeria: Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Works Commence In LagosSenegal: Construction Of New Border PostsSierra Leone: Mano River Union Rehabilitation Of Bo-Bandajuma Road

2

Website: www.cma-cgm.comEmail: lhv.marketing@cma-cgm.comTweet: @CMA_CGM_Group

CMA CGM Marseille Head Offi ce4, Quai d’Arenc 13235 Marseille cedex 02 France

Tel : +33 (0)4 88 91 90 00

www.cma-cgm.com

Disclaimer of LiabilityThe CMA CGM Group make every effort to provide and maintain usable,

and timely information in this report. No responsibility is accepted for

the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user’s purpose, of the

information. Accordingly the CMA CGM Group denies any liability for any

direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person

as a result of relying on any published information. Conclusions drawn

from, or actions undertaken on the basis of, such data and information

are the sole responsibility of the reader.

The African Inland Freight ReportBrought to you by CMA CGM Africa Marketing

Rachel Bennett Dominic Rawle

Events Diary

ANGOLA - Swiss investment company Quantum Global Group plans

to invest US$50m in the timber industry over next 5-years on 80,000-ha in Huambo region.

BURKINA FASO - Alecto Minerals has been awarded a further 3-year term

for its Gassel-Manere and Arae mineral exploration permits - crucial step to securing a potential JV.

DRC - Freeport McMoRan sold its 70% interest in TF Holdings,

which controls an 80% stake in the Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt mine to China Molybdenum for US$2.65b.

GHANA - AngloGold Ashanti has filed an International Centre for

Settlement of Investment Disputes claim against Ghana, accusing it of failing to protect a mine from illegal miners.

MALI - Oklo Resources will raise US$8m through a share

placement to accelerate exploration at its gold projects.

NIGERIA - Construction work has resumed on the Zungeru Hydro

Electricity power plant. The 700MW power project has been on hold in court for several years after a dispute between the involved parties.

SENEGAL - Kosmos Energy has announced that its Teranga-1

exploration well offshore Senegal has made a significant gas discovery.

Western AfricaKENYA - Kenya Solar Energy Ltd will start constructing a 40MW

solar plant in September over 8-months on 100-acres in Lamu’s Witu area. Follows feasibility study approval by the Ministry of Energy / funded by a loan from China.

SOUTH AFRICA - Bushveld Minerals has signed a US$17.2-million share

purchase agreement with Evraz for control of the Vametco vanadium mine and processing plant.

- South Africa has partnered with Iran to develop desalination plants along all coastal communities to boost water supplies, as the worst drought in living memory dries dams.

- De Beers, is digging deeper to find more diamonds in South Africa with a new US$2 billion mine under construction beneath its existing Venetia mine in Limpopo, near the border with Zimbabwe and Botswana.

TANZANIA/ZANZIBAR - Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron-ore projects set to

commence in March 2017 estimated at US$3bn to be financed by Sichuan Hongda Group of China.

ZIMBABWE - Russia’s machine-building company Uralvagonzavod is

interested in expanding cooperation including deliveries of end product.

- Russia’s Tractor Plants Concern is interested to export bulldozers / pipe laying equipment / off-road vehicles.

- Zimbabwe has raised up to US$250 million in lines of credit from Belarus and Africa’s Preferential Trade Area Bank in the last year to help boost gold and diamond production.

Eastern & Southern Africa

News Briefs

June 20166-7 Africa Oil & Power (Cape Town, South Africa) http://africaoilandpower.com/

8-9 DRC Mining Week (Lubumbashi, DRC) http://www.drcminingweek.com/

13-16 Nigeria Power Forum Conference & Exhibition (Abuja, Nigeria) http://www.cwcnog.com/

22-24 Water Africa and West Africa Building & Construction Ghana 2016 (Accra, Ghana) http://www.ace-events.com/

Eastern & Southern Africa

Corridor Current Situation

1 ● Kenya [Mombasa] -Great Lakes / Uganda / Rwanda / South Sudan

Kenya: We are now able to offer competitive rates on heavy 20ft container rates Gross Weight [GW] up to 32T and 40ft containers with GW below 22T for rail to ICD Embakasi, Nairobi, following new revised rates from RVR effective 1st Jan 2016. All import cargo to Kenya [local] must have a Certificate of Conformity [COC]. Without a COC we will not be able to clear the cargo out of port. Failure to which Kenya Bureau of Statistics will impose heavy penalties on consignee’s account.South Sudan: For shipments to South Sudan the Port Of Load [POL] must collect a Letter of Indemnity [LOI] from the shipper indemnifying the Line against all extra charges incurred at the Port of Discharge [POD], Nimule border and Final Point of Destination [FPOD] before approval of any booking. Our local agency in Nairobi will review all bookings before they are accepted.Rwanda: Subject to premium tariff we now authorise shipper to book at 30T incl TARE for final destination Rwanda.

2 ● Tanzania [Dar Es salaam] - Great Lakes

DRC: Roads from Dar Es Salaam to DRC [Goma / Bukavu] are in good condition and services are running well via Rwanda. We have opened Uvira via Burundi but subject to a pre confirmation with our Dar es Salaam office due to possible insecurity in Burundi.Rwanda: Service is running very well. It is operated under SCT with efficient transit time and rates.Burundi: We have re-opened our service connecting Tanzania to Burundi. The Dar-es-Salaam to Bujumbura road corridor offers a transit of 13-days. Regional: Please be advised due to Customs complication, no part load shipment is allowed in TBL for our corridors via Dar Es Salaam.

3 ● Tanzania [Dar Es salaam] - Copper Belt

Regional: The corridor from Dar Es Salaam to Lusaka, Copper belt & Lubumbashi is safe. Our rates have recently been improved and we offer competitive transit times. Our local agent is working with local hauliers to further improve this. Zambia: Roads through Mbeya offer an alternative to the train to Ndola. With an improved ASEA TANZANIA service we offer direct weekly service from Asia to Dar Es Salaam enhancing inland solutions to Malawi and Zambia.DRC: We are the only line to have an owned office in Lubumbashi which closely monitors the local situation.

4 ● Mozambique Nacala Corridor New competitive rail rates for Nacala corridor to Malawi final destination.

5 ● Mozambique Beira Corridor We offer new competitive rates for 20’ Beira-Harare [Zimbabwe] by road and by rail. CMA CGM will indemnify clients from further liability should any port storage incur on the units to be railed. We also have new competitive rates on the Beira–Malawi corridor.

6 ● Mozambique Maputo Corridor Competitive solutions are available to Zimbabwe by rail from Maputo-Hwange. There is no port storage invoiced if shortage of wagons in Maputo.

7 ● S. Africa Durban New inland reefer ‘overborder’ solution available via Durban to inland countries: Zimbabwe, DRC, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland.

8 ● Namibia Walvis Bay We can offer a routing solution for export CTBL cargo from Zambia to Namibia. The route along the Trans-Caprivi Corridor links Zambia with the Port of Walvis Bay via the Katima Mulilo bridge border crossing. Export solutions are available from DRC and Zambia to Walvis Bay for dry and reefer equipment. The corridor to Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola & Lubumbashi in south DRC are running well. We also offer domestic routes to Windhoek and Otjiwarongo, Otjikoto, Oshakati, Ondangwa and Oshikango by road and rail.

3

CORRIDOR REVIEW CTBL AFRICA

Western Africa

Corridor Current Situation

1 ● Mauritania-Mali New!! A new intermodal offer from the port of Nouakchott now targets 15 Mauritanian landlocked cities by road. We also offer a connection from Nouakchott into neighbouring Mali with a road link to Bamako.

2 ● Senegal-Mali The Dakar-Bamako corridor is only available by road. Both our rail and rail-road corridor options for Dakar-Bamako have been closed due to a change in the governance of the railway that has affected services.

Meanwhile we are only able to accept cargo for Southern Mali destinations. For safety reasons traffic to Northern Mali [Kignan, Ségou, Mopti, Sevaré, Gao, Kidal, Menaka, Ansongou, Tessalit, and Timbuktu] via Dakar are temporarily suspended.

3 ● Senegal-Guinea Bissau The corridor is open and running smoothly.

4 ● Cote d’Ivoire-Burkina/Mali Our service to Burkina is running well by both rail and road to all destinations. The rail service from Abidjan is running well offering excellent transit times and no congestion. We also recommend the road option.

From 15th March a Terminal Handling Charge [THC] is applicable in Abidjan Port. We have also launched a new reefer service from Abidjan.

5 ● Ghana-Burkina The Tema-Ouagadougou corridor running well. We offer competitive rates with excellent transit time from Asia using our AFEX service and from Europe on our EURAF 2 service.

6 ● Togo-Burkina/Niger We offer a reliable service to Burkina following recent attacks. Generally the service is running well. Thanks to good volumes and on-going negotiations with suppliers we have decreased our Ouagadougou rates from Lome. We can also offer excellent solutions from Asia on our AFEX service. Please note that Lome port is strict on enforcing weight regulations for trucks.

7 ● Benin-Niger Service is operating very well by road to Niamey.

Our Cotonou agency has signed a new contract with BENIRAIL [Bénin-Niger Rail]. The move opens up a new rail option for transit cargo from Cotonou port to Parakou.

8 ● Cameroon-Chad We offer both road and rail services to Chad which are running well. The train operator, CAMRAIL, offers a good service.

9 ● Cameroon-CAR Douala-Bangui is open on a case by case basis with agreement from our local Douala Agency. Political security is not 100% on this corridor. Please note all TBL to Bangui will be subject to Consignee signing LOI locally.

10 ● Gabon Corridor From Libreville, we serve domestic destinations by road to Franceville, Lambarene, Mouila, Bitam, Moanda, Mitzicnd Makokou.

11 ● Congo Corridor Pointe Noire-Brazzaville corridor is REOPENED. We offer an inland service from Pointe Noire to Dolisie, Brazzaville, Oyo and Ouesso.

12 ● DRC Corridor Matadi-Kinshasa service is running smoothly. New competitive rates are available.

13 ● Angola Corridor We have opened new landlocked destinations via the 4-main national ports of Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda and Namibe. We now offer the cities of Malange, Bela Vista, Catumbela, Benguela, Bahia Farta, Huambo, Lubango, Malongo, Malembo, Yema, Subantando, Buco Zau, Belize, Necuto and Lubango. All destinations are served by road on a 1-2 day transit time.

4

CMA CGM Offers New Rail Option To Parakou, BeninMove Opens Up Niger Rail/Road Solution To Niamey CMA CGM’s local agency in Cotonou, Benin, has just signed a new contract with BENIRAIL [Bénin-Niger Rail] offering preferential rates. The move opens up a new rail option for transit cargo from the port of Cotonou to Parakou. Parakou is the largest city in eastern Benin, with major industries including cotton and textiles, peanut oil manufacture and brewing. The city is situated half way along the RNIE2 highway that runs from Cotonou to the Niger border.

Following successful exports of cotton by rail from Parakou the trials make way for the opening of both import & export TBL. This new rail service also complements our existing road service from Cotonou to Niger and will see our first TBL to Niamey using both a rail-road solution this month. Benefits include:

- Reduction in the cost of freight. Rates are more advantageous than by road / truck. - Better service reliability. - Shorter transit times especially whilst avoiding truck port congestion. - A domestic TBL (only transport) solution / import & export. - A rail-road offer for our exiting TBL to Niger offer (transport + transit).

WEST AFRICA RAILWAY PROJECTThe railway is part of the ambitious West African rail loop project launched in 2013 which aims at boosting inter-regional trade. The loop should ultimately connect 5-countries via 2,700 km of rail track. The line will link Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, and Togo, thus opening up landlocked areas throughout the whole sub-region. The Bolloré Group, who are responsible for executing the work, will invest up to €1.07 billion [700 billion FCFA] in this project

SECTION 1 – BENIN-NIGERIn August 2015, the Bolloré Group [40%] and the governments of Niger [10%] and Benin [10%] signed a concession agreement for the construction and operation of the rail infrastructures linking Niamey and Cotonou. The remaining 40% is open to private investors in both Benin and Niger. Both presidents view the project as a priority for their national infrastructure.

There can be no development without rail. The project is an instrument of integration that will connect the sub-region to the rest of the world.

Thomas Boni Yayi, President of Benin

Over the last year work has taken place on Phase-1 of BENIRAIL. Under the concession agreement, Bolloré rehabilitated the existing metre-gauge Cotonou-Parakou line replacing rails, sleepers and ballast; the rehabilitation of 4-stations [Cadjehoun Saint-Jean, Godomey, Cococodji and Pahou], as well as extending the line approximately 574km to Niamey in Niger.

“ ”

Lomé Cotonou

Parakou

Kandi

Malanville

GayaDosso

NiameyTéra

DoriKaya

Koudougou

Bobo-Dioulasso

Ferkessédougou

Bouaké

Ouagadougou

Abidjan

5

AFRICAN GROUP NEWSCMA CGM

RESOURCESFor more information about both our services within Benin and onward to Niger please view our country flyers at:

You can also contact your usual CMA CGM local agency or direct our Benin agency on e-mail: cto.tbl@cma-cgm.com / tel: +229 2131 9977

Benin

http://www.cma-cgm.com/static/eCommerce/Attachments/CMACGM-

intermodal-flyer-benin.pdf

Niger

http://www.cma-cgm.com/static/eCommerce/Attachments/CMACGM-

intermodal-flyer-niger-2.pdf

6

Regional13th Northern Corridor Integration Projects [NCIP] SummitThe 13th Northern Corridor Integration Projects [NCIP] summit was held in Kampala along with several technical and ministerial meetings. Running under the chairmanship of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia are attended the summit which is one of the most significant regional steps so far at propping up the region’s competitiveness through improving infrastructure.

The Secretary-General of the East African Community [EAC] and the executive secretary of the Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority attended as observers. Private sector representatives from Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda also participated.

The summit reviewed the status of implementation of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects [NCIP] since the last Summit held in December 2015 in Kigali, Rwanda. Key among the regional projects is the Standard Gauge Railway [SGR], oil refinery project, pipeline, project financing and electricity generation and interconnectivity.

The SGR has reached 70% completion on the Mombasa-Nairobi sector with construction of Malaba-Kampala sector expected to begin in July 2016. To date, the establishment of a Single Customs Territory and One Stop Border Posts [OSBP’s] have enhanced elimination of most non-tariff Barriers hence reducing the cost of doing business. The transit time for cargo from the Port of Mombasa to Kampala has reduced from 18 days to 4 days. Business volumes have increased as well as earnings both for Revenue Authorities and private sector operators.

[New Vision 19/04/16]

The Northern Corridor - Transport corridor that links the EAC landlocked countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan with the

Port of Mombasa, Kenya. - The corridor also serves Northern Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] and Ethiopia.

7

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICACORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS

Regional

.NTB Removal Saves US$7 Million Over 5-YearsEfforts to eliminate non-tariff barriers [NTB] have saved transporters and logistics stakeholders along the Mombasa-Kigali route nearly US$7 million [Rwf5 billion] since 2011. The estimates are drawn from a recent evaluation by Trade Mark East Africa [TMEA] of the impact of NTB to trade programmes in East Africa. The survey’s findings indicate:

- Removal of key NTBs have contributed to a 14% reduction in time taken to import goods from each East African country and further contributed to a 20% reduction in time taken to export goods from each EAC country from 33 days to 26 days

- Rwanda’s trade has been among the top beneficiaries from the efforts to remove the barriers hindering trade in the region

- Transit times as well as cost has significantly gone down consequently reducing the cost of business

The development is largely credited to an EAC programme on elimination of identified NTBs supported by Trade Mark East Africa. The programme has so far identified 112 barriers and resolved 87 of them. The survey also established that a significant result of the NTBs programme has been the enactment of the EAC Elimination of NTB Act:

- The Act gives effect to the second clause under Article 13 of the Customs Union, by establishing a legal mechanism for identifying and monitoring the removal of NTBs

- The investments and efforts to address the underlying issue of NTBs was to address a serious challenge to trade within the region with the estimated losses resulting from the barriers being US$490 million as of 2010

- These losses compelled efforts by multiple stakeholders to reduce the costs of trade in EAC and increasing efficiency of EAC corridors

To date TMEA has invested US$7.89 million in the NTBs project with programme benefits expected in the range of US$35-45 million. This comes at a time when elimination of NTBs remains a challenge not only to regional trade and integration but also a subject that partner states grapple with in the process of growing trade within the EAC bloc.

[New Times 25/04/16]

TMEA Issues US$7.6 Million For LIFT FundTradeMark East Africa [TMEA] has launched a Fund worth Rwf 6 billion [US$7.6 million] to support business with innovative projects that will enhance the transport and logistics sector in East Africa. This is the second edition of the Fund dubbed the Logistics Innovation for Trade Challenge Fund [LIFT]. It was first established in in 2012, with 9-projects funded to the tune of US$10.9 million. [Kenya 4 / Uganda 3 / Tanzania 2].

The LIFT Fund aims to reduce investment risk in transformative technologies that will make a difference to the region’s trade and logistics efficiency. Logistic companies submit proposals with each successful project legible for grants between US$150,000 and US$1 million. The companies are required to match at least 50% of project value.

[New Times 06/05/16]

8

MozambiqueInfrastructure Building Priorities NamedMozambique’s government will spend at least US$11.6 billion this year on the construction of new infrastructure, such as railways, roads, bridges and airports. Mozambique will also need an additional US$2.2 billion to pay for the maintenance and expansion of existing infrastructure.

Among the government’s priorities for 2016 are the completion of reconstruction and commissioning of the Cuamba-Lichinga railway line, the start of operations at the port of Nacala-a-Velha and, in early August, the second phase of the modernisation works of the port of Nacala. Other priorities include completion of the expansion project of the Sena railway, from 6.5 million tons of cargo per year to 20 million, completion of the study for reconstruction of the Machipanda line and completion in December of construction of the Boane railway bridge.

[Macauhub/MZ 09/05/16]9

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICACORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS

NamibiaThe Harambee Prosperity Plan Pillar 4Transport Infrastructure Development In view of Namibia’s ambition of becoming a logistics and distribution hub by 2030, significant investment is to be made in all modes of transport infrastructure, namely road, rail, maritime and aviation.

National Development Plan 4 [NDP4]Development of transport infrastructure has been prioritised in all Namibia’s National Development Plans [NDPs], but it was in NDP4 that the audacious goal of becoming a logistics and distribution hub was adopted. Subsequently, more money has been invested in transport infrastructure development. NDP4 runs from 2012/13 to 2016/17.

It was during NDP4 that the expansion of the Port of Walvis Bay, which was almost running at full capacity, was kick-started.

Equally significant progress had been made under NDP4 with respect to road infrastructure and the upgrade of security-related infrastructure at all airports. Much less progress was made with regard to the upgrade of rail infrastructure. Certain sections of the rail infrastructure are in urgent need of repair or replacement. Lack of rail upgrade may also bear negative consequence on the significant investment at the Port of Walvis Bay.

Harambee PlanLast month saw the start of the Harambee plan, a targeted impact plan, covering 5-areas: social development, effective governance and service delivery, economic development, infrastructure development and international relations. The plan is to run over 2-periods - the first from April 2016 to 2017 while the second period will be in 2020/2021. The plan is made up of 16-pillars with pillar 4 focused on transportation. The plan will not replace NDP4 but will complement NDP4 and other development plans.

The desired outcomes with regard to the upgrade of transport infrastructure during the Harambee period will be:

Ports Completion of the deepening and expansion of the Port of Walvis Bay to be able to handle a minimum of one million TEUs by 2018.

Roads Extension of bitumen roads by 526 km, including the selective introduction of dual carriageways: - Upgrade of the Windhoek-Okahandja road to dual carriageway to be completed by December 2019. - Upgrade of the Windhoek-Hosea Kutako International Airport road to dual carriageway by December 2019. - Upgrade of the Omuthiya-Ongwediva road to dual carriageway. Work will start during Harambee period, but will only be fully completed after

2020. - Upgrading of the Karibib-Usakos-Swakopmund road to a two plus one cross section road. Work will commence during the Harambee period,

completion after 2020. - Upgrading of the Swakopmund-Walvis Bay road to dual carriageway by December 2019. - Upgrading of the Swakopmund-Henties Bay-Kamanjab road to bitumen standard. Work on this road will go beyond the Harambee period.

Rail Upgrade the national rail infrastructure by 612 km to SADC standard: - Upgrading line from Walvis Bay to Tsumeb, to be fully completed by 2020. - Upgrade of the Sandverhaar-Buchholzbrunn [40 km]. - Construction of sand tunnels on the Aus-Luderitz railway. - Introduction of a commuter train service from Windhoek Central-Katutura / Windhoek-Rehoboth / Windhoek-Okahandja / Windhoek-

International Airport. - Detailed feasibility plans to be submitted for approval by Cabinet by March 2018.

Air - Ensure air safety standards - Upgrade of the Eros Airport runway and terminal by June 2017. - Upgrade of the Mpacha Airport runway by end 2018. - Upgrade of the Hosea Kutako International Airport runway and terminal.

RESOURCESPlease visit npc.gov.na/ndp4 for more information or download Namibia’s Fourth National Development Plan [NDP4] at http://www.gov.na/documents/10181/14226/NDP4_Main_Document.pdf/6a57bd4f-a1ff-4aa5-9bd1-264e4a3e1e1a

10

RwandaEgypt, Rwanda In New Drive To Boost TradeRwanda and Egypt have pledged to enhance bilateral economic relations. Egypt will also continue to encourage more Egyptian investors to come to Rwanda. Egypt is the biggest exporter and biggest importer of Rwanda’s products. Rwanda earns US$30million in exports to Egypt annually while Egypt earns a US$64millon from exports to Rwanda. However, the tide is expected to change in favour of Rwanda after a pledge by Egypt to open up more markets for made in Rwanda products. Both Rwanda and Egypt belong to the Common Market and Southern Africa [COMESA] trade block.

[New Times 03/05/16]

Rwanda-Tanzania Forum To Strengthen Bilateral Trade A trade forum between Rwanda and Tanzania will be held in Kigali on May 20th to promote trade and investments, as well as bilateral partnerships between the business actors from the 2-East African Community [EAC] partner states. The forum will be held under theme: “Committed to strengthening bilateral trade relations and investment opportunities.” The event is expected to attract more than 100 key business players from Tanzania and Rwanda, and policy decision-makers from both governments. The event is organised by the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture [TCCIA], Tanzania Trade Development Authority [TANTRADE], Tanzania Truck Owners Association [TATOA], and Rwanda’s PSF.

[New Times 29/05/16]

South AfricaTransnet Prioritises Diversification State-owned freight logistics group Transnet is aiming at new sectors, such as fast-moving consumer goods [FMCG] and manufacturing, as it seeks to sustain volumes amid the prevailing commodity “meltdown”. Product diversification is now a high priority for the group, given the fall in the price of coal, iron-ore and manganese; all key products transported by the utility.

The fall in bulk commodity prices has already forced a review of Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy [MDS], as mining companies indicated that various capital expansion programmes would be placed on hold until prices recovered. Volume growth was, therefore, unlikely to match the initial MDS assumptions, especially for coal and iron-ore, when the strategy had forecast export coal volumes growing from 68-million tons yearly in 2012 to 98-million by 2020 and iron-ore from 53-million tons yearly to 83-million tons.

Transnet has therefore decided to revise its R337-billion, 7-year spending plan to one where between R340-billion and R380-billion would be invested over a 10-year period. The group is already moving to play a larger role in the oil and gas sector, which was a key area of focus under government’s Operation Phakisa initiative.

[Engineering News 28/04/16]

RWANDA-TANZANIA TRADE IN NUMBERS - Tanzania’s port of Dar-es-Salaam is by far the most important port for Rwanda,

accounting for 70% of all Rwandan international maritime trade. - More than 90% of other exports [apart from tea and coffee] go through Dar es Salaam. - Total trade with Tanzania was US$68 million in 2015 - Tanzania is Rwanda’s third largest trading partner in EAC.

11

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICACORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS

South SudanPeace Deal Will Boost Trade Via Kenya The Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] noted that the recent signing of peace deal between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar will boost trade between Kenya and the world’s newest nation. KPA acting managing Director Catherine Mturi said they expect the volume of South Sudan’s cargo through the port of Mombasa to increase by over 10%. According to KPA, South Sudan cargo through the Port of Mombasa dropped 7.7% in 2015 compared to 2014. A total of 702,531 tonnes via Mombasa was destined for South Sudan.

[Citizen 04/05/16]

COMESA Regional Customs Transit Guarantee Scheme JoinedSouth Sudan has joined the COMESA Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG) Scheme after signing the instruments of accession on 5th May.

The RCTG scheme is active in countries in the Northern, Central and Dar transport corridors since its commencement in 2012. Tanzania and now South Sudan are the non-COMESA Member States in the scheme.

The COMESA RCTG carnet scheme is a custom transit regime designed to facilitate movement of goods under the customs seals in the COMESA region to provide the required customs security and guarantee to the transit countries. This means Traders to South Sudan will not be subjected to pay for bonds in Kenya and Uganda while importing goods from the Mombasa port. Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] are expected to commence operations of the RCTG in May and June this year respectively.

In the North-South Corridor, Zambia is in the process of engaging its stakeholders to join the scheme. This will enable other member States in the Corridor, namely, Zimbabwe and Malawi to move forward in the implementation process of the scheme.

[Gurtong 11/05/16]

BENEFITS OF RCTG SCHEME - Reduced cost of doing business by

eliminating duplication of processes - Reduced administrative costs and

regulatory requirements - Enhanced capacity of the private and public

sector agencies - Creation of a mechanism for prevention of

smuggling at a regional level - Reduced risks associated with non-

compliance on the transit of goods - Enhanced application of information

technology (IT) and data collection at the regional level

- Realization of economies of scale and optimal use of resources in clearance of goods in EAC.

12

TanzaniaTanzania Evaluating Decline In Cargo Volumes The Tanzanian government has directed the Tanzania Ports Authority [TPA] and Tanzania Revenue Authority [TRA] to evaluate the economic impact of the decline of transit cargo Port of Dar es Salaam. Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Philip Mpango, gave the directive following claims that the decrease in cargo traffic at the port was due to Vat Added Tax [VAT] and Single Customs Territory system.

Giving a 2-year comparison for the same period, cargo transport to the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] decreased from 5,529 to 4,092 containers for the period under review down 26%. Cargo heading to Malawi decreased from 337 to 265 containers, while those to Zambia decreased from 6,859 to 4,448.

[Daily News 01/05/6]

UgandaInvestment Authority To Be Overseen By Trade MinistryThe activities of Uganda Investment Authority [UIA] are to be overseen by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. UIA, was created to promote and facilitate investment projects, provide serviced land, and advocate for a competitive business environment. It works with the government and the private sector to promote economic growth of Uganda through investment and infrastructure development.

[Exchange 02/05/16]

Zimbabwe57th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair [ZITF]The 57th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair [ZITF - www.zitf.net] was held from April 26-30 in Bulawayo under the theme, Innovate, Integrate and Industrialise. ZITF is one of the largest intra-regional trade fairs south of the Sahara. This year 390 exhibitors attended.

[VOA 27/04/16]

13

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICACORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS

RegionalSirari Corridor Accessibility: Isebania-Kisii-Ahero Road Rehabilitation ProjectThe Government of Kenya has received a loan from the African Development Bank [AfDB] to finance the Sirari corridor accessibility and road safety improvement project: Isebania- Kisii- Ahero road. Development objectives are to increase trade and regional integration and to improve the transportation of import and export goods and passengers traffic along the Tanzania-Kenya-South Sudan Corridor. The project will also contribute towards restoring the road network and improving economic and social welfare. The project design also entails improvement of feeder roads. Bidding documents will be available in early May 2016.

[AfDB 19/04/16]14

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICAROAD

EthiopiaGondar District Road ConstructionThe 138km Debark-Buhait Dil yibza new asphalt road construction project in North Gonder Zone is ongoing at a cost of 1.6 billion Birr. When completed, the road will interlink the northern Gondar districts such as Debark, Janamora- Dilyibza and others.

Satcon Construction Company is constructing the 73 km Buhait-Dil yibza road whilst Ecore Local Construction Company is building the 65 km Debrk Buhait section. Consultancy and supervision work is being undertaken by Icon Consulting Engineering Private Limited Company.

[CR 20/04/16]

KenyaKenha To Construct Bridge Across Likoni ChannelThe Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has said that feasibility studies regarding the Likoni Bridge are at its final stage. KeNHA director general Peter Mundinia said they will construct a connection bridge across Likoni channel linking it to Mombasa Port. In March this year, the Jubilee government secured a construction grant to aid the designing and building of the bridge.

[Hivisasa 12/05/16]

Kenya-Ethiopia Road Nearing CompletionThe Kenya National Highways Authority [KeNHA] has noted construction of the Merille-Marsabit [121km] and Turbi-Moyale [122km] roads linking Kenya to Ethiopia will be completed soon. The road forms part of the strategic transport corridor linking Mombasa Port to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The project is being funded by the government, Africa Development Bank [AfDB] and the European Union and it will play a key role in integrating Southern Ethiopia with Northern Kenya. The road will also connect landlocked Ethiopia to the Port of Mombasa and support the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project.

[Capital FM 28/04/16]

By providing a critical link in the Trans East Africa Highway connecting landlocked Ethiopia to the Port of Mombasa, the road corridor will also be key in supporting the Lamu-Port-South-Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport [LAPSSET] corridor.

Gabriel Negatu, Regional Director, Eastern Africa Resource Centre of the African Development Bank Group

“”15

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICAROAD

RwandaKagitumba - Kayonza - Rusumo Road To Be RehabilitatedPresident Kagame has promised that the Kagitumba road is to be rehabilitated. The 208km road starts from Kagitumba on the Rwanda/Uganda border on the northern corridor and ends at Rusumo on the border with Tanzania [central corridor]. At regional level, the objective is to improve road transportation and trade facilitation along the northern corridor via the Mirama/Kagitumba border and the central corridor at Rusumo. As well as contribute to improving transport services in Kagitumba-Kayonza-Rusumo areas.

[Rwandan Focus 04/05/16]

TanzaniaLandmark Nyerere Bridge LaunchedPresident Magufuli officially launched the 680m Kigamboni Bridge that will change the lives of residents of the Kigamboni peninsula in Dar es Salaam. The US$135 million bridge offers an alternative route to Dar es Salaam’s central business district. The contractors were China Railway Construction Engineering Group [CRCEG] in joint venture [JV] with the China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group [CRMBEG] as well as Arab Consultant from Egypt. The bridge, to be named the Nyerere Bridge, is a toll road with cars paying a fee to enable the private investors to recover their investment.

[NampaXinhua 22/04/16]

Tanga-Bagamoyo Highway Construction To Start Next Fiscal YearThe construction of a major 242-km highway connecting Tanga City to Bagamoyo is set to start in the next fiscal year. The process of upgrading the highway to tarmac will be done concurrently to the construction of a bridge over the Pangani River. The project is part of the East African Road Project. The Tanga-Saadani road will be extended to Bagamoyo, then onto Malindi and Mombasa on the Kenyan side through the Horohoro border post.

[CR 25/04/16]

16

UgandaJapan Pledges Shs 66 Billion For Gulu RoadsJapan has given Uganda more than Shs66 billion to rehabilitate roads in Gulu Municipality following the signing of a deal between the 2-countries. Japan will also provide technical assistance for road maintenance. The move is part of the Japanese government’s commitment through the process of Tokyo International Conference for African Development [TICAD]. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija signed on behalf of Uganda whereas Ambassador Junzo Fujita signed on behalf of Japan. Uganda’s Transport and Works ministry will execute the project.

[Monitor 06/05/16]

Transit Trucks To Have Easier Access To Uganda BorderTransit vehicles from Eldoret seeking to access the Kenya-Uganda border will now have an easier time after the completion of the rehabilitation of the Eldoret-Turbo-Webuye road along the Northern corridor route. The project which is under the Northern Corridor Rehabilitation Programme Phase III was funded by the European Union [EU] and the government at a cost of Sh5.4 billion. According to the Kenya National Highways Authority [KeNHA] works also included the construction of road side truck park at Jua Kali centre.

[Capital News 28/04/16]

ZambiaPresident Launches Mongu-Kalabo RoadPresident Lungu has launched the Mongu-Kalabo road that links Zambia with Angola. The road was constructed by AVIC International at a cost of US$286.9 million. The road crosses the Zambezi River with one of the longest spanning bridges on the Continent. The bridge is to be named after Lubosi Imwiko II, the Litunga of Barotseland. The road will help to lift the social and economic status of Western Province as well as Lusaka, Copperbelt, Livingstone and the rest of Zambia through cross-border trade. President Lungu also commissioned the construction works of Isoka-Muyombe-Chama-Lundazi road.

[ZNBC 27/04/16]

Road Projects Launched In Mansa DistrictThe Government has allocated over K200 million for the upgrading of urban roads in Mansa district in Luapula Province as part of the Pave Zambia 2,000 road project. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Henan have been allocated a 21-km stretch.

[Zambia Times 24/04/16]

Mpolokoso-Nsama RoadThe Government has completed repair works on the 160km Mpolokoso-Nsama road by the Road Development Agency [RDA] at the cost of K800,000. The move cuts total travel time from 6 to 1.5 hours and has boosted economic activities across the district.

[Lusaka Times 24/05/16]

17

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICAROAD

ZimbabweMajor Road Construction PlanPresident Mugabe has announced a US$2 billion road construction plan for Zimbabwe. Works on the Harare-Beitbridge and Harare-Chirundu roads will start soon following the identification of both a financier and contractor for the project. No time line was given.

Austrian firm Geiger International has emerged as government’s partner for the dualisation and rehabilitation of the 585km Harare-Beitbridge road. The Harare-Beitbridge road is not only part of the trunk network in Zimbabwe, but also a major component of the north-south traffic corridor directly linking Harare and Pretoria, and providing landlocked Zambia with access to the Indian Ocean ports of Durban and Richards Bay in South Africa.

[CR 20/04/16]

Zimbabwe Government Launches US$1.7 Million Road Condition SurveyOn April 21st the Government launched a US$1.7 million National Roads Conditions Survey, the 2nd such exercise since 1999, in a bid to improve the state of the country’s roads. The exercise, wholly funded by the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority [Zinara], will run for 9-months. The survey will place Zinara a position to systematically attend to maintenance and rehabilitation.

[News Day 22/04/16] 18

DRC EastDRC Eyes Membership Of East African Railway ProjectThe Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] has expressed strong commitment to joining the multi-billion Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] project. President Kabila announced at the 13th Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit-NCIP in Kampala that a proposal has been put before the DRC parliament for ratification. The project will see the construction of a modern, high-capacity railway system stretching from the Port of Mombasa in Kenya, through Nairobi to Kampala-Uganda, Kigali-Rwanda and Juba-South Sudan. The Northern Corridor Integration Projects is an initiative to, among other things, reduce the cost of doing business and improve infrastructure in countries that use Mombasa Port and the so-called northern route or corridor.

[APA 25/04/16]

MozambiqueTete-Zambezia Railway Tender EndsThe project manager of the Tete-Zambezia railway, Thai Moçambique Logística, announced 7-foreign companies are competing for the contract. The line will link the mining district of Moatize, in Tete province to the port of Macuse, in Zambezia province. The international tender, which ended 29th April, received proposals from 2-companies in China, 2-from Turkey and one each from Brazil, Portugal and South Korea.

The line will run 480-500 km although negotiations are underway with the government to add another 120 km, to allow access to some existing coal concessions in Tete, which are not currently connected to the network. Macuse has capacity to receive vessels of up to 80T, which allows for greater competitiveness in relation to Beira, which receives ships with a smaller draft. The Macuse project is 60% owned by the Italian Thai Development Company Limited, of Thailand, 20% by Mozambican state port and rail company CFM and the remaining 20% by the Zambezi Integrated Development Corridor [Codiza].

[Macauhub/MZ 27/04/16]

RwandaRwanda Looks To Tanzania For Rail Transport As Uganda Falters On SGR

Rwanda is in talks with Tanzania and Burundi over a shared Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] through the Central Corridor after it noted that Uganda was not prioritising the Kampala-Kigali connection that would have seen it transport its goods through Kenya.

Rwanda’s Infrastructure Permanent Secretary Christian Rwankunda has held a series of meetings with senior officials from Tanzania and Burundi in Dar es Salaam late April over the details of the Central Corridor project. The 3-countries are said to be looking at mid-2017 to start construction of the line, with the tendering expected to start in the next 2-months. The 3-countries are looking for a consultant to advise on the drafting of the tender documents for the deal.

Uganda is keen to fund the construction of the Tororo-Gulu-Pakwach line ahead of the SGR connection with Kenya at Malaba because of the big economic interests the country has in South Sudan. This would delay the Kigali-Kampala line. Nairobi and Kampala said to be in a quiet rivalry to connect their SGR segments to South Sudan as Uganda-Rwanda leg is deemed uneconomical.

[East African 30/04/16]

19

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICARAIL

Rwanda/TanzaniaDIKKM Railway Line On TrackThe 1,672-km Dar es Salaam-Isaka-Kigali/Keza-Musongati [DIKKM] Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] project is progressing well. A recent joint technical monitoring committee meeting in Arusha noted that Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda are continuing project development. During the meeting the contract extension was agreed for transaction advisory services that expired in December 2015 as well as terms and conditions. The Rwanda Transport Development Agency [RTDA] is to procure services on behalf of the 3-countries. Issuance of request for proposals/invitation for bids will follow. The end of the procurement and start of construction would depend on the outcome of the submitted proposals - tentatively Q2 2017.

Requests for expressions of interest was completed in 2015, followed by the selection of bidders – 13 companies in all – also followed by the request for proposals. Negotiations with the best bidder will eventually follow once the basics are concluded. This mixed-traffic line will be built to 1,435mm gauge, in line with East Africa Community [EAC] and African Union [AU] policies, and would be suitable for 2,000m long freight trains with 32.4 tonne axle loads. The estimated cost of standard gauge railway project is US$5.2 billion.

[New Times 25/04/16]20

TanzaniaChina In US$6 Billion SGR OfferChina announced that it is ready to provide US$6.8 billion for the construction of Tanzania’s 2,561km Standard Gauge railway [SGR] along the Central Corridor. The announcement followed talks held between China’s Ambassador to Tanzania Dr. Lu Youqing and President John Magufuli. The project will be implemented in phases with the first phase to be implemented jointly between Tanzania and China, the project will involve construction of 1,216 km from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza via Isaka and Tabora.

[EA Business Week 02/05/16]

Tanzania/ZambiaTAZARA Tops Tanzania’s Priority ListRevitalization of the once-thriving 1,860-km Tanzania-Zambia Railway line (TAZARA) from Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania to Kapiri-Mposhi in Zambia is of utmost priority to the government of Tanzania.

TAZARA is the only regional rail project well-positioned to provide key linking role in the proposed EAC-COMESA-SADC Free Trade Area with a considerable market of more than 600 million people. But despite an increase of throughput volumes of cargo at Dar es Salaam Port from 6 million MT in 2006 to about 15 million MT in 2015, the volume of cargo transported by TAZARA has continued to drop from 601,229 MT in 2005/2006 to just 87,860 tonnes in 2014/2015.

A high-level meeting with experts from China, Tanzania and Zambia is expected to discuss and propose a way forward for the railway, based on the recommendations and advice of China’s Third Railway Survey of Design Institute (TSDI). The governments of China and Tanzania are also working on another major project that will involve construction of the Bagamoyo Port and its associated Special Economic Zone (SEZ), with plans underway to construct a 40-km railway line to link the SEZ with the TAZARA network at Pugu.

[Daily News 10/05/16]

Tazara is a priority project under Sino-Tanzania cooperation. Tanzania is eager to improve efficiency of the project with our partners. We are equally confident that our colleagues from Zambia are as well anxious to see the revitalized TAZARA since its underperformance has inhibited the rate of commodities to and from Zambia and other neighbouring land-linked countries.

John Kijazi, Chief Secretary to the President of Tanzania

“”

21

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICARAIL

UgandaUganda To Build Bukasa Inland Port On Lake Victoria Uganda has borrowed US$48 million from 2-German banks to construct an inland port at Bukasa on the shores of Lake Victoria. The move widens its database of non-concessional lenders. Over the past 8-years, Uganda has invested heavily in infrastructure and the increasing cost and number of projects has caused the country to look beyond concessional lenders like the World Bank, African Development Bank and Western governments to China, which had become a popular option. The European Export and Trade Bank [AKA Bank] and Commerzbank AG noted the loan would be paid back within 15 years, at an interest rate of the Eurobond average rate plus 1.8%. Uganda will provide US$8.5 million in counterpart funding to make a total project cost of US$56.4 million. The project, which is part of the Central Corridor Development Programme aims to secure an alternative way of providing efficient transport systems between Uganda and the world markets.

[East African 30/04/16]

ZambiaNakonde-Tunduma Border Problems To Be AddressedRepresentative from Zambia and Tanzania met to discuss improvements in revenue collection at Nakonde-Tunduma Border Post. The facility collects an average of K138 million per month for Zambia, making it the second largest revenue generating border after Chirundu which collects about K220 million per month. Issues needing attention include illegal trade, the construction of structures for the One Stop Border Post [OSBP] on the Tanzanian side, lengthy clearance times, revenue collection leakages, counterfeit travel documents and various operational challenges for Zambian truckers on the Tanzanian side.

To address these concerns, the representatives agreed to re-establish a buffer zone at Nakonde–Tunduma by resuming the demarcation of the border by June this year and to undertake sensitisation campaigns for transport operators in both countries to ensure that the proper legal provisions are respected. On the joint border operation, both countries were tasked to strengthen the existing laws and enforcement mechanisms especially on issues relating to illegal markets, money changers, counterfeiters, illicit drug dealers and car thefts.

[Daily Mail 10/05/16]

22

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICAOSBP & ICD TERMINALS

Cote d’Ivoire/SenegalECOWAS Requests Support For Dakar-Abidjan Corridor ProjectECOWAS Ministers have called on Heads of States and Governments to consider contributing funds towards the implementation of the Dakar-Abidjan Corridor Project. The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire have been asked to extend the Abidjan-Lagos corridor development to cover the entire Dakar-Lagos Corridor, which is part of the Trans-African Highway. Ministers have recommended the setting up of a Steering Committee consisting of Ministers of Works/Infrastructure to provide oversight responsibility and to drive the implementation of the project. These recommendations will be presented on the margins of the next ECOWAS Summit.

The Ministerial meeting, the first of its kind on the Dakar-Abidjan Corridor project was also attended by representatives from the African Development Bank [AfDB], Africa Finance Corporation [AFC], Osprey Investments Group, Roughton International, Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organisation [ALCO] and the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit [PPDU].

Gambia/SenegalECOWAS, AU & UN Joint Mission Appeal For Border Crisis DialogueThe joint mission by the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS], African Union [AU] and United Nations [UN] which recently visited Banjul has appealed to the governments of The Gambia and Senegal to continue the dialogue underway in resolving the current border crisis. The appeal released by the joint mission after their visit also called on the 2-governments to convene a bilateral meeting scheduled for the middle of May with a view to arriving at a mutually agreed solution. The border crisis is entering its third month.

[Blasting News 05/05/16]

23

WESTERN AFRICACORRIDOR NEWS

Burkina FasoIDB Funds Asphalting Of Burkina HighwayBurkina Faso will begin the construction and asphalting of the 91km Dedougou-Tugan highway in the west-central part of the country after CFA 20 billion was secured from the Islamic Development Bank [IDB].The Tunisia-based construction company, SOROUBAT, was contracted to build the road following an international tender. The project aims to boost economic development activities connecting Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Mali. Aside from the highway, a bridge will also be built over the Mouhoun River.

[APA 28/04/16]

DRCBatshamba-Tshikapa Road Development: Lovua-Tshikapa BridgeThe Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] has received funding from the African Development Fund [ADF] to cover the cost of the Batshamba-Tshikapa road project to include the Lovua-Tshikapa bridge construction on the river Kasai. Tenders to be lodged by June 23rd.

[AfDB 20/04/16]

LiberiaPresident Breaks Ground For Gbapolu Road Project President Johnson-Sirleaf has broken ground for the construction of a road from Morlakwelleh Town in Bokomu District to Palakwelleh Town in Guo Nwolaila District.

[Inquirer 28/04/16]

24

WESTERN AFRICAROAD

MaliMali Launches Bond To Improve RoadsMali launched a CFAF65 billion bond on the West African Economic and Monetary Union [WAEMU] financial market to run over 7-years. The aim of is to boost development through the implementation of several road infrastructures to improve access and renovate road networks in the capital Bamako.

[Star Africa 26/04/16]

NigeriaApapa-Oshodi Expressway Works Commence In Lagos Rehabilitation of on the major Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos has kicked off. The main artery leads to the port serving as a gateway to the nation’s economy. Julius Berger, the proposed project contractor, has submitted cost estimates for the repairs of the critical sections - Ilasamaja/Berliet/Iyana Itire. The Federal Ministry of Works is waiting for approval of the 2016 budget.

[CR 27/04/16]

Sierra LeoneMano River Union Rehabilitation Of Bo-Bandajuma Road The Sierra Leone Government has received financing from the African Development Fund [ADB] and OPEC Fund for International Development [OFID] towards the cost of the Mano River Union Rehabilitation of Bo-Bandajuma Road Project. The Bo-Bandajuma road [46km] civil works are expected to be executed over a 24-months. The Sierra Leone Roads Authority [SLRA] now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest.

[AfDB 04/05/16]

25

WESTERN AFRICAROAD

SenegalConstruction Of New Border Posts IOM Senegal has begun construction of the first of 5-new border posts along its frontiers with Mauritania and Mali, with €2.5m funding from the EU to run over 30-months. The border posts are designed to enhance Senegal’s migration and border management capacities, while increasing security in the region. The first post is being constructed in Dagana, a small village on the southern bank of the Senegal River, marking the boundary between Mauritania and Senegal. Other facilities will be built in Podor, Kidira and the current posts in Diama and Rosso are to be renovated. The project is to be implemented by IOM in partnership with the Senegalese Ministry of Interior and in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Finance [Customs], Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence [Gendarmerie] and other departments.

[Africa Manager 19/04/16]26

WESTERN AFRICAOSBP & INLAND TERMINALS