From Rabat to the Sahel: Moroccan Builders Lead Africa’s Largest Road Project

Strategic Project to Boost Trade and Land Connectivity Across West Africa with Chinese Financing

Ouagadougou – From Our International Correspondent
In what is being hailed as a “game-changing leap” for Morocco’s presence in Africa, authorities in Burkina Faso announced today that a consortium of two Moroccan companies has won a landmark contract to construct a highway linking the capital Ouagadougou to Bamako, the capital of Mali. The deal marks the largest road infrastructure project ever awarded on the continent.

Fully financed through a Chinese loan to the West African nations, the project will span hundreds of kilometers, serving as a strategic trade corridor that will enhance connectivity between Morocco’s Atlantic ports and the Sahel region. Officials say the highway will drastically cut travel times, reduce shipping costs, and stimulate cross-border commerce.

Transforming Africa’s Trade Map
According to Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Infrastructure, the highway will be built to international standards, complete with service stations, logistics hubs, and rest areas along the route.

“This project is not just a road—it is a bridge of development between our peoples, with profound economic and social impact,” said the country’s Infrastructure Minister in a statement to state television.

Moroccan executives welcomed the news, calling it a vote of confidence in Moroccan engineering and infrastructure capabilities.

“We are proud to be part of this historic undertaking that strengthens African integration and places Morocco at the heart of the continent’s major transformations,” said the CEO of one of the winning companies.

Chinese Financing, Moroccan Expertise
The project is part of China’s broader infrastructure investment strategy under the Belt and Road Initiative. Industry analysts say Morocco’s success in securing such a high-profile, cross-border project is a sign of its growing competitiveness against major global construction firms.

Human and Social Impact
Beyond its economic benefits, the highway is expected to improve access to healthcare and education in remote rural communities, facilitate the transport of agricultural goods to urban markets, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in both Burkina Faso and Mali.

A Strategic Backbone
The route is seen as a key piece of the regional connectivity vision linking Morocco with West African nations, especially as Moroccan investment expands in transport, energy, and telecommunications. It will also give Sahel countries better access to Atlantic ports, reducing their geographical isolation and enhancing their role in continental trade.