• Liberia begins $45.28 million coastal road rehabilitation

• Ashoka Buildcon to upgrade 50 km stretch

• Project aims to boost connectivity, cut transport costs

Liberia is set to begin the first phase of a road project linking Nrowkia, Barclayville, Sasstown and Nipleppo in the country’s south. Indian group Ashoka Buildcon said on Monday, Feb. 16, it had secured a $45.28 million contract for the project.

The first phase involves rehabilitating 50 of the 96 km of coastal road slated for upgrade, a strategic route that will also connect Greenville. Financing is provided by the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).

First announced in 2015, the project aims to support the West African nation’s economic recovery, notably by improving access to the port city of Buchanan. It was initially expected to be financed by Eton Finance in partnership with a private investor, but that agreement was later suspended, delaying construction.

The coastal road is a vital commercial corridor for Liberia. Heavily damaged during the second civil war from 1999 to 2003, it has long constrained the movement of people and goods in the region. Authorities say its reconstruction should enhance national integration, cut travel times and lower vehicle operating costs, benefiting both passenger and freight transport.

The rehabilitation forms part of the government’s strategy to address the infrastructure deficit despite tight budget constraints. According to the World Bank’s “Liberia Poverty Assessment 2023,” the poor state of the road network is among the main obstacles to socio-economic development. About 42% of the population remains poorly connected or not connected at all to the network, driving up transport costs and limiting access to markets, social services and urban centers.

In several rural areas, travel to a major urban center can take between two and six hours, underscoring the scale of the logistical challenges the country continues to face.

Henoc Dossa