ADFD allocates AED53mn to develop Senegal road

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) commended the foundation stone laying ceremony of Senegal’s National Road No.2 (Ndioum – Ourossogui – Bakel) project. ADFD, one of the key financiers of the 336-km long infrastructure project, allocated a concessionary loan of AED53 million (US$15 million).
Senegalese President, His Excellency Macky Sall, attended the ceremony and laid the cornerstone. His Excellency Mansour Elimane Kane, the Senegalese Minister of Infrastructure, Land Transport and Opening up, Ali Al Marzouqi, Chargé d’affaires at the UAE embassy in Senegal, and several high-ranking officials were also present. The National Road No. 2 development runs along the valley of the Senegal River, and will directly impact 15 percent of the total Senegalese population – 2.15 million individuals across three administrative regions including Saint-Louis, Matam and Tambacounda
Lauding the Senegalese government’s national strategy – Strategie Nationale de Developpement Economique et Social (SNDES 2013-2017), His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said: “The government of Senegal’s strategy articulates recovery, growth, long- term development and infrastructure investments as core priorities.
ADFD has earmarked AED53 million to fund the development of the Ourossogui – Hamady Ounaré Road Section – one of four segments of the National Road No.2 initiative.”
He added: “The 50km long road section will directly benefit 600,000 residents. Furthermore, the overall project reinforces the Senegalese national strategy and will kick-start socio-economic growth in the country, specifically improving transportation infrastructure, reducing travel time and helping curb high vehicle repair costs as a direct fall-out of accidents on ill-constructed roads.”
Pointing out that one of ADFD’s goals is to support governments in achieving their desired development objectives, Al Suwaidi highlighted the high agricultural potential of surrounding areas. He said the road will play a vital role in alleviating living standards for communities through enabling infrastructure that significantly eases movement of goods and people.
For his part, Minister Kane emphasised that the National Road No.2 project is in line with the Senegalese government’s strategy to enhance, boost and increase access to public services – notably through proper transport infrastructure. He added that residents in the area will enjoy greater access to
social service facilities and
employment opportunities, including careers in agriculture, moving and delivering crops and construction. He commended the close ties between the UAE and Senegal and praised ADFD’s efforts to better the everyday lives of ordinary individuals.
Since 1976, ADFD has allocated concessionary loans worth AED193 million to sustainable development projects in Senegal across key sectors – most significantly, health, transportation, agriculture and water.
It’s noteworthy to mention that recently; as part of its founding membership of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, an innovative blended facility aimed at fighting poverty in Islamic Development Bank’s member countries, ADFD and other members have also pledged an amount USD32 million to support the government of Senegal’s malaria eradication campaign.