Background Information

Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Decades of civil war have entrenched
insecurity and undermined the legitimacy of the state. This has caused vulnerabilities,
particularly among the youth, most of whom wish to migrate to find better opportunities abroad,
while many engage in criminal activities. Dysfunctional governance systems and dilapidated
infrastructure continue to entrench extreme poverty. Frequent droughts and uncontrolled natural
calamities due to floods have led to persistent humanitarian food crises that threaten vulnerable
people, especially women and children. The transport sector has particularly suffered from
unmaintained dilapidating infrastructure, leading to its near disappearance (especially roads) and
the weakening of institutions. Hence the need to repair, rebuild, and re-create institutional
frameworks. The infrastructure programme will address poor road infrastructure and the lack of
sufficient regulatory and technical capacity to oversee reconstruction and preserve the roads

Project beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries of the project include communities, road users, businesses, traders,
farmers, transporters and regional governments in the target areas of Jubaland, Puntland,
Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Somaliland.