By Laurina B. Lormia
The government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Works is poised to benefit from the Mano River Union (MRU) Road Project phase-3 to boost trade and regional connectivity in West Africa.
The Governments of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, under the MRU framework, have secured substantial financing for this transformative infrastructure initiative. This initiative is a major milestone in regional integration and infrastructure advancement within West Africa.
The third phase of the Mano River Union (MRU) Road Development and Transport Facilitation Programme is set to commence, promising a major boost to regional trade, socio-economic development, and cross-border connectivity in West Africa.
Phase 3 of the program, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and national governments, will see the development and asphalting of 114 kilometers of roads; 50 kilometers in Liberia and 64 kilometers in Sierra Leone constructed to ECOWAS standards. Feasibility and design studies will also be carried out on an additional 107 kilometers of roads across Guinea and Liberia.
A key component of the project includes the construction of a 276-meter bridge over the Makona (Moa) River, physically linking Guinea and Sierra Leone, and further strengthening regional ties.
The US$98.19 million initiative will also invest in socio-economic infrastructure and capacity-building programs, with a particular focus on empowering women and youth, improving livelihoods, and promoting inclusive growth in beneficiary communities.
However, Liberia has already made notable progress by completing the procurement process for a supervision consultant for the 61.5-kilometer Kelipo to John Davis Town segment, leveraging savings from the completed Harper to Karloken road project. The hiring of a civil works contractor is currently underway.
Upon completion, the MRU Road Project is expected to reduce transportation costs, enhance customs procedures, and significantly increase trade and transit traffic across the sub-region. It will also improve access to essential services and economic opportunities for rural populations. This marks the country’s fulfillment of its obligations to the regional project.
Liberia To Benefit From MRU Road Project
