Burkina Faso’s US$156 million lifeline

A new road project will provide a US$156 million economic lifeline for Burkina Faso. The landlocked West African nation stands to gain significant economic benefits from upgrading of the 131km RN8 National Road that links Bobo-Dioulasso, Orodarara, Mahon and Koloko to Doulai Dassa on the border with neighbouring Mali. The work should take 12-16 months to carry out and will provide improved international transport for Burkina Faso, a key driver in assisting its struggling economy.

A number of other roads around Bobo-Dioulasso will also be upgraded as part of the road infrastructure development plans. Road widening as well as maintenance works will be carried out as part of the programme.

The road works follow on from another key project, the upgrading of the link between capital Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s second city. This project has helped to provide an improved connection between Yamoussoukro, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, and Ouagadougou.