Support to Road Authorities in Somalia
Project Overview

As a result of the civil war in Somalia and insufficient maintenance, the transport infrastructure, which is vital for the country’s economic and social development, is in a very poor condition. The inadequate road infrastructure in Somalia is not only preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid; it is also a major constraint on the population’s access to social services, such as education and health care, as well as a significant obstacle to the political integration of the country’s territories.

Trade has always been the backbone of Somalia’s economy. This applies especially to livestock exports, which amount to around 3 million animals per year. With its connections to the seaports, the transport sector is a dynamic, vital part of this sector. It moves people and goods across the country and is therefore the cornerstone for economic growth and a source of great potential for future growth.
Particular care therefore needs to be taken to maintain existing roads in order to support the economic sector and in doing so promote growth and development in Somalia and the East Africa region as a whole.

Objective
Somalia’s roads are appropriately rehabilitated and maintained. The key economic road infrastructure is operational.

Approach
The project aims to help ensure that the existing road network is appropriately rehabilitated and maintained. This approach is intended to prevent the collapse of the key economic road infrastructure in the medium term. A range of infrastructure and non-infrastructure interventions will be used to achieve this goal, especially the strengthening of institutions in the transport sector at the technical, institutional and legislative levels.

The project supports the autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland in improving performance capacity in the road transport sector. The focus is on the rehabilitation and maintenance of the existing road network. As part of this approach, the project is helping state bodies to develop a road maintenance management system. The performance capacities of the Puntland Highway Authority and the Somaliland Roads Development Agency are being strengthened and the conditions are being put in place to enable a  sustainable reform of the transport sector.

On the federal level, the first step will be to create the fundamental institutional conditions needed to maintain the roads on a sustainable basis. There is currently a lack of appropriate specialist bodies and responsibilities.

The project works with the national government, regional governments, road transport authorities, the private sector and representatives of civil society. Through ongoing exchange with the partners, the project fosters the highest possible levels of local ownership and political will, which contributes to the sustainability of the measures.

Improving the infrastructure gives road users greater access to the economy, education and health care. This applies in particular to inhabitants of poorer areas outside the market centres. Private companies, which depend on a functioning road infrastructure, for example for transporting goods, will also benefit from the improvements. A higher quality of road infrastructure will reduce operating costs and expand sales markets.

The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).