Opposition leader Raila Odinga has announced plans to construct a 6,000km road linking Mombasa County to Lagos in Nigeria.
Raila who was recently appointed the African Union special envoy for Infrastructure Development in the continent said the move is aimed at linking Africa through modern highways and railways.
Raila said having a reliable road infrastructure will be key to economic growth for African countries.
He added that in his new role, he intends to oversee construction of 60,000km of highways linking the entire continent in order to open up continent for trade.
According to the opposition leader, nine highways were to be constructed over four decades ago but only 4,500kms road between Dakar and N’Djamena in Chad has been constructed.
He said he intends to finish the Trans-African highway project which was first commissioned in 1971.
“Primary projects will be an 8,000 kms highway linking Cairo (Egypt) to Dakar in Senegal. Another 8,0000 kms road will stretch from Cairo and Cape Town (South Africa). A 6,000kms road linking Mombasa (Kenya) to Lagos (Nigeria) is part of this ambitious project.”
“My belief is that having reliable road infrastructure and railways linking all corners of Africa will open up the continent and make it a gateway to the 21st century. Through my new position I am determined to take Africa to economic independence,” Raila told constructionreviewonline.