Keypoints:
- Togo road rehabilitation reaches 92 percent completion
- Madagascar highway and bridge works hit 80 percent
- Nigeria’s Minna-Bida road project reaches 45 percent
THE Abu Dhabi Fund for Development says several of its flagship infrastructure projects across Africa are moving steadily towards completion as the UAE expands its development and economic partnerships across the continent.
According to a statement released by ADFD, major transport projects in Togo, Madagascar and Nigeria have recorded significant construction progress, with completion rates ranging from 45 percent to 92 percent.
The projects form part of wider efforts by Gulf states to increase their economic presence in Africa through infrastructure financing, logistics investments and trade corridor development as competition for strategic influence intensifies across the continent.
Africa continues to face a major infrastructure financing gap, with governments increasingly relying on development finance institutions and foreign-backed lenders to fund roads, ports and energy projects seen as critical to economic growth and regional integration. Recent UAE-backed investments have increasingly focused on logistics, transport corridors and digital infrastructure linked to trade and supply chains.
Roads project drive gathers pace
ADFD said the rehabilitation of the Sokodé–Bassar Road in Togo had reached 92 percent completion, making it one of the most advanced projects in the fund’s African portfolio.
The initiative includes the rehabilitation of a 62-kilometre road corridor, flood protection works, rainwater drainage systems and consultancy supervision services.
Officials say the road will strengthen transport links between the capital, Lomé, inland regions and neighbouring countries while helping reduce transport costs for passengers and goods.
The project, financed through an estimated AED37m ($10.1m) facility, is also expected to improve road safety standards and support cross-border trade activity. The development aligns with broader UAE-backed connectivity ambitions across the continent, including emerging transport corridor projects in East Africa aimed at strengthening regional commerce.
In Madagascar, construction works on a 117-kilometre dual-lane road and seven bridges have reached 80 percent completion.
ADFD said the project would improve access between rural communities and urban centres while easing traffic congestion and lowering transportation costs.
Authorities expect the upgraded corridor to improve access to healthcare and social services while supporting economic sectors including agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.
The fund said it provided more than AED110m in concessional financing for the Madagascar project.
Nigeria project targets economic activity
In Nigeria, construction of the Minna–Bida Road project in Niger State has reached 45 percent completion, according to ADFD.
The 82-kilometre road links the state capital Minna with the commercial city of Bida and represents the fund’s first development project in the country.
ADFD has committed approximately AED165m to the scheme.
The fund estimates the project could reduce travel times between the two cities by up to 50 percent and lower vehicle operating costs by around 31 percent.
Officials also expect the corridor to improve transport efficiency and stimulate commercial activity between major urban centres in the state. Analysts say transport investments remain central to Africa’s industrialisation agenda as governments seek to improve market access and supply chain efficiency.
Gulf investment competition grows
The UAE has increasingly expanded its infrastructure and investment partnerships across Africa in recent years, joining countries such as China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in financing strategic transport, logistics and energy projects across the continent.
Analysts say road and transport investments have become an important part of broader geopolitical competition for trade access, supply chains and commercial influence in African markets. The UAE has also accelerated investments in renewable energy and logistics platforms, reflecting a wider strategy to deepen economic ties with African states through long-term infrastructure financing. Earlier initiatives included renewables and logistics expansion plans across Africa as well as a $1bn UAE-backed artificial intelligence initiative for Africa.
Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said the institution remained focused on monitoring implementation progress to ensure projects were completed according to approved schedules and technical standards.
‘Our efforts reflect the Fund’s mission to support partner countries in developing their infrastructure and stimulating economic growth,’ Al Suwaidi said in the statement.
He added that ongoing oversight was intended to improve project readiness and maximise long-term development impact.
ADFD said the projects reflected its continued focus on supporting infrastructure development and economic connectivity across Africa through long-term financing partnerships.
