Transport
Projects portfolio
| Reference | Project | Status |
|---|---|---|
| P-BI-DB0-016 |
Projet d'aménagement et de bitumage de la route Gitega-Nyangungu-Ngozi-Phase 2 Categories: Burundi |
ApprovedAPVD |
| P-BI-DB0-015 |
Projet Gitega-Ngozi Categories: Burundi |
OngoingOnGo |
| P-BI-DB0-013 |
Routes Gitega - Muyinga et Gitega - Ngozi Categories: Burundi |
PipelinePIPE |
Africa’s current particularly defective transport network prevents countries from being competitive, especially on the world market.
Roads
National Networks
In Africa, roads represent the most important means of transport, carrying nearly 90% of passengers and freight. Most of the time, they are the only means of access to rural communities. Although sufficient in terms of kilometers, the rural network encounters problems related to improvement and timely maintenance. In urban areas, the infrastructure is inappropriate, especially given the rural exodus. Facilities fall short of meeting the needs of the ever-increasing number of pedestrians and cyclists. Generally, existing infrastructure is hardly ever maintained. In the end, this necessitates the implementation of major rehabilitation works, even reconstruction.
Regional Links
Half of the countries on the continent are landlocked and the transport cost might represent as high as 77% of the value of exports. Indeed, these countries encounter enormous difficulties in benefitting from the growth in world trade – hence the need to facilitate trade at a wider scale between these countries and the rest of the world.
The improvement of links is contingent on the development of transport corridors, the establishment of information systems, the renovation of customs installations between countries and the creation of special management institutions.
Road Safety
Africa’s road network is the most dangerous in the world. The Commission for Global Road Safety estimates that the number of deaths through road accidents in sub-Saharan Africa will increase by 80% by 2020. Thus, road accidents will become the second leading cause of mortality for the 5 – 44 age group, comprising economically active young adults.
The Rail
The average network density – 2.9 km per 1 000 square kilometers – is one of the lowest in the world. Lack of investment and inadequate management systems have led to the dilapidation and deterioration of existing lines and equipment, resulting in considerable traffic decline.
Sixteen African countries have no railway or portions of international railway lines. However, some regions (e.g. Sudan’s Southern and Western Regions where there are no roads) rely entirely on the rail.
Ports, Maritime Infrastructure and Waterways
International container transport is in full boom. However, the development of this mode of transport is currently hampered in Africa due to lack of port infrastructure. New facilities planned would have to be coordinated with the construction of road and rail networks, to ensure interface between different modes of transport.
Air Transport
The air transport sector is meant to link major cities of the continent. Countries like Egypt, Tunisia or even Senegal receive considerable investments in the air sector. Although the situation in African countries varies widely, concerns related to air safety and security remain the general impediments to growth in several countries (infrastructure is not at the heart of the problem). In 2005, 25% of accidents worldwide occurred in Africa. The issue of safety primarily concerns the competence of pilots, safety agencies and air traffic installations. Rendering African airports and airlines safer is a major preoccupation.
