By Foday Moriba Conteh
A major cross-border road infrastructure project aimed at transforming connectivity and accelerating economic growth in the Mano River region was officially launched on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Bo-Waterside Border Post in Cape Mount County, Liberia. The historic ceremony was jointly led by His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia, together with His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who commissioned and performed a symbolic groundbreaking for the upgrading of 225 kilometres of selected primary roads in Liberia.
The project is being implemented under a 25-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreement between the Government of Liberia and Pavifort AL Associates Inc., with an estimated cost of approximately US$364 million. Of this amount, 60 percent will be financed by Pavifort, while the Government of Liberia will contribute 40 percent, reflecting a strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing critical infrastructure needs.
The road development initiative will focus on two major corridors designed to significantly improve national and regional connectivity. The Western Corridor will feature a four-lane highway stretching from St. Paul Bridge to Klay (38 km) and onward to Bo-Waterside (79 km), with additional links connecting Klay to Tubmanburg and Madina Junction to Robertsport. Meanwhile, the Northern Corridor will consist of an 86-kilometre two-lane road linking Voinjama to Mendikorma, further expanding access to remote regions.
Providing an overview of the project, Deputy Minister for Technical Services at Liberia’s Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Prince D. Tambah Sr., described the initiative as a transformative milestone in Liberia’s infrastructure development and a critical step toward strengthening regional integration with Sierra Leone. He noted that the project spans four counties Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount and Lofa and is expected to significantly enhance trade, mobility and long-term economic growth.
Hon. Tambah explained that the project covers the full lifecycle of road infrastructure, including design, construction, operation, maintenance and eventual transfer to the Government of Liberia. He highlighted that the roads will be built to international standards, incorporating both four-lane dual carriageways and two-lane single carriageways tailored to Liberia’s terrain, traffic demands and environmental conditions.
He further disclosed that the design includes modern infrastructure features such as street lighting, drainage systems, bridges, pedestrian walkways, traffic management systems and designated rest areas to ensure safety and efficiency. Climate-resilient engineering solutions have also been integrated to enhance durability.
To ensure sustainability, the project will establish four regional maintenance units, implement structured maintenance systems and introduce training programmes to build local technical capacity. In addition, 3 tolling facilities will be installed at strategic locations including Po River, Klay Junction and Bo-Waterside to support revenue generation and long-term maintenance.
Social and environmental safeguards have also been prioritized, with a Resettlement Action Plan to ensure fair compensation and livelihood restoration for affected communities, alongside strict adherence to environmental and labour standards.
Chief Executive Officer of Pavifort AL-Associates, Alhaji Alimu Sanu Barrie, described the project as both symbolic and historic, emphasizing its potential to strengthen ties between Liberia and Sierra Leone. He noted that the upgraded road network will boost cross-border trade, reduce transportation costs and curb illegal activities such as smuggling and trafficking.
Barrie expressed appreciation to both governments for the confidence placed in his company, pledging to deliver the project with the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and diligence. He also highlighted Pavifort’s growing presence across the sub-region, with ongoing projects in multiple countries, and acknowledged the support of financial institutions and development partners, including Afreximbank.
On the legislative side, President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Hon. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, commended the Executive for submitting the concession agreement for ratification, ensuring transparency and legal backing. She revealed that the Legislature made key inputs, including financial provisions for educational institutions, community-based organizations and additional road improvements in project areas.
She emphasized the Legislature’s commitment to oversight, ensuring that all stakeholders deliver on agreed timelines and standards, while expressing confidence in Pavifort’s ability to execute the project successfully.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, described the project as a necessity rather than a luxury, noting that communities have long suffered from poor road conditions and limited access to essential services. He assured full legislative support while stressing the need for transparency, accountability and timely delivery.
In his remarks, President Bio highlighted the deeper significance of the project, describing the Bo-Waterside crossing as a unifying point rather than a dividing border. He characterized the initiative as a “dividend of peace,” reflecting the progress made by both nations in achieving stability and development.
He noted that the road will benefit traders, farmers, students and entrepreneurs by reducing travel time and improving access to opportunities. He also emphasized the regional importance of the corridor within the framework of ECOWAS integration, calling for similar projects to be replicated across West Africa.
President Bio further commended the involvement of Pavifort as an indigenous company, describing it as evidence of the growing capacity of African firms to deliver major infrastructure projects.
Delivering the keynote address, President Boakai reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transforming Liberia’s road network, describing it as central to national development. He acknowledged that while progress has been made, only about 10 percent of Liberia’s more than 14,000 kilometres of roads are paved, a situation he described as unacceptable.
He emphasized that the project will open up rural communities, improve access to markets, healthcare and education, and create over 1,000 jobs, particularly for young people. Construction is expected to be completed by 2030, with the project set to transform the western corridor into a major hub for trade and economic activity.
President Boakai concluded by calling for unity and collective responsibility, urging citizens to support and protect the project while emphasizing that Liberia’s borders should serve as points of connection rather than division.
Overall, the project represents a bold step toward regional integration, economic transformation and improved livelihoods for the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone, marking a new chapter in cross-border cooperation within the Mano River region.
