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Ambitious new North-Central Africa road project commences in Egypt

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

The 1,700km road linking Egypt with Libya and Chad will help turn ‘the dream of a borderless African market into a reality’.

Egypt’s government has allocated approximately US$124-million for the first phase of a new 1,700 km road that will connect the country with Libya and Chad.  

 

Preliminary survey work is already underway and construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025. The project is projected to take three years to complete.  

 

The road is intended to be a new land corridor to increase trade between the three nations, with some experts predicting that it will become a vital artery for commerce in North-Central Africa. 

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Its first phase of around 400 km will run from East El-Oweinat in south-west Egypt to the Al-Kufra border crossing with Libya. In all, 400km of road will be inside Egypt, 390km inside Libya, and 930km inside Chad. 

 

Libya Review says the road is expected to play “a key role in enhancing trade, transport and economic cooperation across North and Central Africa, positioning Egypt as a major transit hub for regional commerce”. 

 

Global Highways, a trade publication serving the international road, bridge and tunnel construction industry, adds that the road will provide all three nations with a new route, boosting trade and economic development in the region.  

 

“The road project will be of particular benefit to landlocked Chad, as it will give the country access to ports in Libya and Egypt,” notes Global Highways. 

 

Egyptian contractors have experience in these challenging conditions 

 

An Egyptian-based construction company, Arab Contractors, is building the first section of road, with the publication commenting that “Egyptian contractors have considerable experience in building roads in these extremely challenging conditions and will be well-placed to win further packages of works for the project”. 

 

Among those who are bullish about the project is economic lecturer Dr Norhan Abdel Rahman. She believes it is more than just asphalt and construction; it’s a strategic corridor designed to catalyse trade, deepen regional integration and unlock a new chapter of prosperity for North and Central Africa.  

 

“By bridging the vast distances between them, Egypt and Chad are not only strengthening their own economic futures but also creating a vital artery for commerce that will resonate across the continent,” Rahman writes in a report published by the non-profit policy research organisation, Africa Narratives. 

 

 

“By replacing lengthy and expensive sea voyages with a direct land route, the project will cut transit times between Egypt and Chad from months to mere days. This dramatic increase in efficiency will make Egyptian goods more competitive in Central Africa and open up the vast African market for Egyptian companies. For Chad, it provides a crucial gateway for its exports … to reach global markets via Egypt’s Mediterranean ports.” 

 

She adds that trade between the Egypt and Libya is already robust and the new road will solidify and expand this vital economic relationship. 

 

“This initiative is a tangible step towards realising the vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), turning the dream of a borderless African market into a reality, one kilometre at a time,” Rahman states. 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.