The Five Bridges project is located in Conakry, the bustling capital of Guinea. This collaboration between the Dutch and Guinean governments and Dutch companies will improve access to and from city districts. It will make travel safer and faster, improve the quality of life for inhabitants in the port city, and create more and fairer opportunities for work and income.
With almost two million inhabitants, Conakry is the capital of Guinea. A throbbing metropolis and the economic, financial and cultural heart of the West African country. The densely populated port city lies between estuaries and ravines. These natural barriers isolate districts from one another and make travelling to work time-consuming. Hospitals and other amenities are also difficult to access. The construction of five bridges and accompanying roads will improve connections and economic opportunities for inhabitants in a lasting manner.
The bridges will soon connect city districts to one another. They will give residents of the city’s outer areas and surrounding countryside access to the economic heart of Conakry. The project is expected to stimulate private sector development in the city and create economic opportunities for more groups within society. This will help reduce inequalities between countries, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 10.
The challenging project was originally started by the Dutch company Dijkstaal International. The project is now being implemented by Ballast Nedam. It will work with Dijkstaal over the coming years to complete the project.
“The bridges literally pave the way for jobs, markets, hospitals and other social amenities.”
The new bridges and roads form part of a larger mobility plan for Conakry and the neighbouring Coyah.
The bridges project has been partly made possible with financial support from the programme Development Relevant Infrastructure Projects (DRIVE-programme). On 21 April 2021 the Guinean Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Dutch Embassy in Dakar signed a grant agreement worth € 30 million for this. Together with a loan from Invest International and credit insurance from Atradius Dutch State Business (ADSB), the financing has now been secured. Meaning the construction of a safe connection for the inhabitants of Conakry and Coyah can now start.
The new bridges and roads form part of a larger mobility plan for Conakry and the neighbouring Coyah. The total project costs over 60 million EUR and is due for completion in 2025.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Invest International and Atradius Dutch State Business, this project produces benefits on all sides. It generates new business for Dutch companies, and the partnership creates impact in countries where that is needed. This helps us to realize Sustainability Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals.
A view of Conakry. Travelling to work in the city takes a long time, as does visiting a hospital. The bridges will improve conditions.
Alexander de Gaay Fortman
Project Advisor Public Infrastructure Programs (Francophone) Africa
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