The African Development Bank has granted an additional $76.37 million to enhance Somalia’s road network, focusing on vital corridors connecting to Ethiopia and Djibouti to facilitate trade, enhance services, and promote regional integration.,,Transport connectivity in the Horn of Africa is poised for significant advancement following the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) approval of $76.37 million (Sh9.8 billion) to continue road infrastructure development in Somalia.,,This funding forms part of the comprehensive Horn of Africa corridor initiative aimed at reinforcing connections between Somalia, Ethiopia, and Djibouti while improving the region’s trade and integration capabilities.,,The additional financial package includes $49.16 million (Sh6.3 billion) from the African Development Fund, AfDB’s concessional financing arm, and $27.21 million (Sh3.5 billion) from the Transition Support Facility, which focuses on nations dealing with conflict and instability.,,The lender indicates that this increased funding will allow the project to expand its operations and hasten the completion of essential transport infrastructure vital for improving regional connectivity.,,AfDB representatives explain that the request for supplementary financing came after substantial expansion of the project’s scope.,,Mike Salawou, AfDB’s Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development, stated that increased demand, enhanced designs, and additional components drove this adjustment.,,”The Programme has progressed from limited interventions to complete road upgrades, made possible by better designs and the inclusion of new elements such as bridges, extra road sections, trade facilitation measures, and social infrastructure to maximize benefits for local communities,” Salawou explained.,,A significant allocation of the resources will be used for upgrading two major road segments: a 15-kilometer section from Zeila to Asha Addo in Somaliland, and a 22-kilometer route connecting Beled Weyne and Kalabeyr in Hirshabelle State.,,These roads serve as crucial channels for goods and people movement within Somalia and across international boundaries, supporting the wider goal of reducing transportation obstacles in the Horn of Africa.,,In addition to road construction, the initiative includes community-oriented development projects designed to improve resilience and access to fundamental services.,,Planned activities encompass drilling boreholes, renovating classrooms for vocational training, building markets and storage facilities, and restoring health centers, all intended to ensure direct benefits for local populations from the enhanced infrastructure.,,The initiative will also emphasize cross-border trade facilitation measures to stimulate regional economic activity.,,Key initiatives include bolstering support for small traders, implementing a simplified trade framework between Somalia and Ethiopia, and extending Somalia’s automated customs system to modernize clearance procedures.,,AfDB emphasizes that these measures are fundamental to fostering economic integration and supporting long-term regional stability.