Issue 4 

Completion of the Joint Regional STD/HIV/AIDS Project along the Abidjan-Lagos Transport Corridor 

SSATP was represented at the meeting on the completion of the Joint Regional STD/HIV/AIDS Project along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor in Cotonou, Benin from January 28 to February 4, 2008. The aim was on one hand, to share evidence on successes, achievements and weaknesses, and on the other hand, to support NGOs and regional economic communities in their program development on the limitiation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic along transit corridors.

HIV/AIDS poses an unprecedented challenge to the  achievement of sustainable socioeconomic development. Cognizant of the gravity of this epidemic, of its negative impact on the individual, the family, and the community, officials from the five countries of the Abidjan-Lagos migration corridor, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, designed and implemented a joint project.

The Joint Regional Project along the Abidjan-Lagos Transport Corridor (commonly known as the Corridor Project) seeks to expand the access of vulnerable persons to support services, basic care, treatment and prevention. In this migration context, the project targets transport sector workers, police officers, customs officers, porters, sex workers, and other persons working at the border posts between the five countries.

The Corridor Project, which cost a total of US$19.9 million (including a grant for US$16.6 million from the World Bank), was launched in 2004 and is the first regional HIV/AIDS prevention project to be financed by the World Bank. Owing to its multisectoral and multicountry nature, it contributes to regional integration in West Africa.

Full story: English

SSATP collaborates with DfID and the World Bank to define a core strategic transport network for Eastern and Southern Africa

The SSATP, the World Bank and the UK Department for International Development (DfID) have developed a proposal to carry out detailed analytical work to define a medium and long term strategy for corridor development in Eastern and Southern Africa. This follows a realization that the network of the various corridors as currently defined are a historical legacy. New and re-emerging concentrations of demand, linked mainly to mining, mean that the interregional transport network definitions may no longer be optimal.

Full story: English

Sustainable Development Network Week 2008 at the World Bank 

The World Bank Sustainable Development Network Week 2008 was held during February 10-29 in Washington D.C. The SDN Week was this year dedidated to Sustainable and Inclusive Globalization. This unique event aims at learning, networking and sharing knowledge and experience. A selection of internationally recognized scholars, practitioners and partner organization representatives were invited to enrich the discussions. During the half day devoted to transport for Africa, SSATP highlighted the growing sense of leadership among African countries and regional organizations to tackle the transport infrastructure challenges facing Africa. Investments in infrastructure must be tied to sound policies and ability to implement. Donors need to help governments and regional organizations address these needs so as to achieve sustainability.

Full story: English