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Plans are underway for Ethiopia and South Sudan to create a 220-km road spanning their mutual border, following a cool $738 million funding pact made in May 2023.
On Tuesday, South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly gave the nod to the Ethiopia-South Sudan financial deal to construct this transnational highway, as revealed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
The ministry highlighted that the initiative seeks to boost connectivity and strengthen economic bonds between these neighboring lands, emphasizing the escalating partnership and shared benefits between Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Per the financial terms, Ethiopia foots the bill for the construction. South Sudan stands as the debtor, borrowing from Ethiopia. Repayment will be managed through South Sudan’s crude oil supplies to Ethiopia. Work on the road kicks off once South Sudanese President Salva Kiir grants definitive approval.
The South Sudan section will link Paloich, Maiwut, and Pagak with Ethiopia’s border regions.
