Sudan's Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Gibreel Ibrahim, and Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, Seif al-Nasr al-Tajani Haroun, recently met to discuss reconstruction efforts. They focused on transportation projects damaged during the war and plans to rehabilitate and develop them. The meeting covered projects by the Sudanese Railways Authority and the National Roads and Bridges Authority. The ministers directed the Infrastructure Ministry to prepare its 2027 plan, prioritizing vital routes linked to exports and trade.
Minister Ibrahim emphasized the need to focus on rehabilitating export routes, particularly the Port Sudan-Kassala-Adri road and the coastal road. He also stressed the importance of equipping roads with necessary services to make them more attractive to exporters. To accelerate project implementation, Ibrahim called for comprehensive technical studies on the Port Sudan-Kassala-Adri and Halfa-Arqin roads. These studies would be conducted in collaboration with specialized consulting parties, and the roads would be divided into sectors for company implementation.
The development of Sudan's railway sector is seen as a significant opportunity for the country's economy. Minister Ibrahim stated that the railway would open new avenues and excellent opportunities for Sudan's resource base. The railway would also support transportation and trade between different regions of the country. Minister Haroun explained that the meeting covered reconstruction, road and railway network establishment, and rehabilitation.
Minister Haroun highlighted the importance of the Port Sudan-Adri export route as a key project for the coming phase. The Ministry's plans also include the Kassala-Al-Qadaref-Medani-Kosti road and the proposed Port Sudan-Adri international-standard road. Another project, the Wadi Halfa-Al-Jabalayn-South Kosti road, was described as a main axis for development and transportation in Sudan.
On the railway sector, Minister Haroun emphasized the significance of existing lines, including the Nyala-Adri line, which is part of the African regional corridor. He stressed that developing an integrated transportation system is essential for enhancing trade movement. These projects aim to connect Sudan from end to end, facilitating foreign trade and transporting Sudanese and neighboring countries' goods to export ports.
The projects also support importing goods and meeting local market needs. Minister Haroun noted that they would help stimulate trade and economic growth. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Director-General of the Sudanese Railways Authority, Mousa Al-Qom, and the Director of the National Roads and Bridges Authority, Ahmed Othman.
The ministers' discussion demonstrates Sudan's efforts to rebuild and develop its infrastructure. Key attendees included budget officials from the Ministry of Finance. No timeline was given for project implementation.
Key points
- Sudan's railway and road reconstruction efforts are underway.
- The projects aim to boost trade and economic growth.
- The railway sector's development is seen as crucial for Sudan's economy.
