Uganda, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR) have signed a historic agreement to jointly fund the construction of a 1,100-kilometre trade road network aimed at enhancing regional integration and economic development.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on May 16, 2025, at State House Entebbe, in the presence of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and ministers from the three countries.
The proposed infrastructure project will connect remote areas of the region and significantly reduce the cost of transporting goods and services across borders.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Eric Mathieu Rokosse-Kamot, Minister of Equipment and Works from the Central African Republic, emphasized that the improved road network would “significantly boost commerce and ease transportation challenges.”
The move aligns with the African Union’s agenda for infrastructure development under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which prioritizes interconnectivity as a key pillar of economic transformation.
Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, praised the initiative.
“By developing shared infrastructure, the three countries aim to stimulate cross-border investment and improve access to markets. The visionary leadership of our heads of state is instrumental in addressing the bottlenecks to infrastructure development and security,” Gen Katumba said.
Herbert Gontran Djono-Ahaba, CAR’s Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, highlighted the importance of further cooperation, proposing a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Uganda to ease regional air travel and reduce travel time.
While details on the financing modalities were not immediately disclosed, the ministers confirmed that technical teams will begin drafting the implementation frameworks in the coming weeks.
Once completed, the trade road network is expected to open up underdeveloped regions, improve regional stability through economic collaboration, and reinforce the vision of a connected and competitive Africa.
