World Bank AFD targets 4,000km rural roads under $575m reform-backed programme
The World Bank and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have intensified financing-backed efforts to deliver 4,000 kilometres of rural roads in Nigeria under the $575 million Rural Access and Agricultural
The World Bank and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have intensified financing-backed efforts to deliver 4,000 kilometres of rural roads in Nigeria under the $575 million Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), positioning the initiative as a key investment in agricultural value chains and rural economic growth.
At the 10th RAAMP Implementation Support Mission in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, said the project represents a strategic deployment of development finance aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at unlocking productivity and improving market efficiency.
He noted that the declaration of a state of emergency in agriculture reflects the economic urgency of fixing supply chain bottlenecks, particularly poor road infrastructure that limits farm-to-market access and suppresses rural incomes.
“Road connectivity is an economic enabler. Without efficient market access, agricultural output cannot translate into revenue growth or wealth creation,” Abdullahi said.
The minister disclosed that about 1,500 kilometres of roads, representing a significant portion of capital expenditure, have been completed, while the remaining 2,500 kilometres are scheduled for delivery by December 2026, in line with project timelines tied to funding disbursement.
He added that over 11.5 million Nigerians have already benefited from the investment, with measurable economic gains including reduced logistics costs, increased trade volumes, and improved access to services in rural markets.
According to him, RAAMP has evolved into a reform-driven financing framework that incorporates institutional structures, such as Rural Access Roads Agencies and State Road Funds, to ensure long-term asset maintenance and fiscal sustainability.
Abdullahi further revealed that 38 reform laws have been enacted across participating states to strengthen governance, while more than 61,000 kilometres of rural roads have been digitised under the Nigeria Rural Transport Infrastructure Management System, enhancing transparency, monitoring, and asset valuation.
To reduce maintenance costs and create rural employment, the government is also implementing community-based road maintenance in partnership with the International Labour Organisation, covering about 500 kilometres across five states.
Development partners, he said, are increasing their financial commitments, with additional funding support from the Islamic Development Bank and the European Investment Bank, which has pledged €150 million to the programme.
In a move to deepen impact, the Federal Government has secured an additional $600 million facility to scale up RAAMP nationwide, expanding infrastructure coverage and consolidating institutional reforms.
World Bank Task Team Lead, Rakesh Tripathi, emphasised the importance of efficient fund utilisation, noting that the project has about 18 months left and must accelerate disbursement to maximise value.
“It would be a significant milestone for Nigeria to achieve full disbursement ahead of the project’s closing date,” he said, adding that civil works are currently at about 40 per cent completion, with expectations of reaching full execution by December.
Also speaking, AFD Project Manager Sally Abdo Ibrahim said the project has transitioned from early-stage delays to a stable implementation phase, urging stakeholders to prioritise quality delivery and financial discipline to safeguard long-term returns on investment.
“With about 18 months remaining, the focus should be on consolidating gains and ensuring that all allocated funds translate into tangible infrastructure and economic outcomes,” she said.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of RAAMP, Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, disclosed that the programme is being executed across 19 states and has exceeded its initial beneficiary projection of 8.2 million, reaching over 11 million Nigerians.
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He said contracts covering more than 4,000 kilometres of roads have been awarded, with 1,500 kilometres completed and the balance expected to be completed within the current funding cycle.
Mohammed also noted that 39 agro-logistics centres, critical to strengthening agricultural supply chains, are under construction nationwide.
The facilities, which will provide storage, water, and power infrastructure, are about 40 per cent completed and expected to be delivered by mid-2026.
The RAAMP initiative, scheduled to run until December 2027, is structured to drive rural economic inclusion, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance market integration.
Stakeholders at the meeting emphasised that sustained collaboration, fiscal discipline, and timely execution are essential to fully realise the economic returns on the multi-million-dollar investment.
