The World Bank, in partnership with the European Union, the African Development Bank and the French Development Agency, will invest $680 million in three countries – Chad, Cameroon and Central African Republic, to improve the regional transport infrastructure.

The 2,000 kilometer stretch that connects the Douala Port in western Cameroon to the country’s landlocked neighbors Central African Republic and Chad is known as one of Africa’s worst. The connection is one of the last major trade routes without all-weather, paved roads going from one part of Africa to another.

Shippers struggle to get their goods to and from international markets. Trade is hampered for thousands and the deplorable infrastructure is a substantial toll on the price of doing business regionally. Transport costs are the highest in the world. Read more about this vital project on the World Bank’s website.