Dubai, UAE — May 2026 — The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has marked Africa Day with an update on the progress of three major road infrastructure projects across the continent, underscoring its commitment to sustainable development in partner nations.
According to the Emirates News Agency, the Fund reported significant advancement across its active projects in Togo, Madagascar, and Nigeria. The rehabilitation of the Sokodé–Bassa road in Togo has reached 92% completion, while Madagascar’s road infrastructure project stands at 80 percent, and the Minna–Bida highway in Nigeria is 45% complete.
Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of ADFD, reaffirmed the Fund’s dedication to Africa’s development on the occasion of Africa Day, saying the Fund celebrates the shared values of unity, diversity, and progress that define the continent’s spirit and ambitions.
He added that ADFD’s portfolio of projects across key sectors continues to support the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to build a prosperous, integrated, and sustainable Africa.
Project highlights
The Sokodé–Bassa road rehabilitation in Togo spans 62 kilometers and includes flood and rainwater protection works alongside consultancy and supervisory services. Funded at approximately AED 37 million, the project is expected to strengthen connectivity between the capital Lomé and inland regions, reduce freight and passenger transport costs, and improve road safety.
In Madagascar, ADFD is financing the construction of a two-lane, 117-kilometer road and seven new bridges through a soft loan exceeding AED 110 million. The project targets rural connectivity, improved access to healthcare and social services, and support for agriculture, industry, and tourism sectors.
The Minna–Bida highway in Nigeria’s Niger State — ADFD’s first development project in the country — is backed by AED 165 million in financing. The 82-kilometer road linking the state capital Minna to the city of Bida is projected to cut travel time between the two cities by 50% and reduce vehicle operating costs by 31%, while stimulating broader economic activity.
Al Suwaidi stressed that ADFD’s hands-on monitoring approach ensures projects are delivered efficiently and remain responsive to evolving on-the-ground needs — an approach that reflects the UAE’s broader vision of achieving lasting developmental impact and improving quality of life in communities worldwide.
