Moving people and goods in Mali

The ‘Rehabilitation of the Sevaré – Gao Road (Sevaré – Boré Section)’ project will refurbish a 111 km stretch of road that comprises part of the National Road 16 in the Mopti region of central Mali. The project is being co-financed by the OPEC Fund and will improve links between economic centers and social amenities for around 2.7 million people.

The project’s ancillary works include providing road lighting at village crossings and potable water wells, as well as the rehabilitation of rural access roads. Opening up access and reducing travel costs will support key economic sectors that include agriculture, fishing and small business. The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa and the government of Mali are co-financing the project.

Including the present loan, the OPEC Fund has approved more than US$285 million for development operations in Mali, much of which has supported the transport and agriculture sectors.  The partnership between the OPEC Fund and Mali dates back to the institution’s establishment in 1976, with approvals spanning all of the OPEC Fund’s finance windows – public sector, private sector and grants.

OPEC Fund Director-General Dr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund is very pleased to support this development project, which is accorded high priority by the government of Mali. The rehabilitated road will facilitate further integration among various regions and increase trade, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 9 on decent work and economic growth, and industry, innovation and infrastructure, respectively.”