New cross-border highway to connect Uganda, South Sudan, and CAR in major trade boost

In a landmark move to deepen regional integration and boost trade, Uganda, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR) have agreed to construct a 1,800-kilometre cross-border highway linking Kampala to Bangui via Juba.

The ambitious infrastructure project, announced following a Tripartite Ministerial Meeting in Kampala, will be implemented in two phases. Initial efforts will focus on gravel road upgrades and critical bridge repairs, followed by full tarmacking and paving to create a durable, high-capacity corridor. “This project is a game-changer for regional integration,” said South Sudan’s Minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak. Two major routes through South Sudan are planned, including one via Nimule, Juba, Maridi, and Tambura, and another through Kaya, Yei, and Lainya.

The corridor aims to enhance connectivity across East and Central Africa, ease border delays, and reduce transport costs. It will also support post-conflict recovery in South Sudan and CAR, create employment, and foster local economic growth. Funding will come from a mix of national budgets, international development partners, and private investors. Once completed, the Kampala–Bangui corridor will serve as a vital East-West trade artery and align with broader goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritizes infrastructure development to drive economic growth.