The implementation of the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) has the potential to contribute to achieving a key objective of the AfCFTA, by boosting intra-Africa trade. The transaction costs of intra-Africa trade depend quite notably on road transport, making the state of Africa’s road transport a key concern. Recent studies show that the majority of roads on the continent are still unpaved. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, Sub-Saharan Africa is covered by 31% of the total kilometres of paved road per 100 square kilometres of land, which is the lowest in the world. To address this issue, various road transport infrastructure development programmes have been planned by states, continental and international organisations. Efficient road transport infrastructure reduces transport costs. This trade brief will provide a review of existing road transport infrastructure in Africa and will examine select new road development projects.

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