US$135mn for Comoros port development

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$135mn package to the Union of the Comoros in East Africa

The significant funding (provided by the African Development Fund and the Transition Support Facility) will support the Maritime Corridor and Regional Trade Facilitation Project (PCMFCR) and help to extend and modernise two ports on the island as well as establish a special economic zone.

With around 90% of freight to and between the three islands transported by sea, the upgrades to the ports (two of three located in the Union of the Comoros) is thought to be essential to its continued economic development. The project will improve the Union of the Comoros' national and international connectivity by upgrading port infrastructure, promoting regional integration and creating an ecosystem conducive to the development of value chains.

“The project, which has just been approved by the Boards of Directors of the Bank Group, aims to increase the capacity and efficiency of the ports of Moroni and Boingoma to meet current and future needs,” said the Bank's director general for eastern Africa, Nnenna Nwabufo. “It will help develop local value chains in fisheries and agriculture sectors, and facilitate inter-island and regional trade. This is a flagship project of the Plan Comores Émergent, which will certainly help to improve the living conditions of the Comorian population and reduce Comoros' vulnerability to climate change.”

To accommodate ferries and fishing boats, the port of Moroni will be expanded by a new 240 metre quay and the port of Boingoma by a 136-metre quay. The project will also support the modernisation of the customs administration, the establishment of a national single window for trade and business facilitation, and the development of a special economic zone to support import and export logistics.

Furthermore, 10 fisheries product stores equipped with solar-powered cold rooms and refrigerated island transport solutions will be constructed. These will be adapted to women’s need and will support female cooperatives by providing them with deep-freezing equipment for the production and processing of fisheries and agricultural products.

The project will be co-financed by several institutions including the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Agence Française de Développement.

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