At a total cost of nearly €100 million, these infrastructure projects will be critical for opening up the country’s northern areas and promoting economic development.

The projects include the construction of an 11 km highway stretching from Gandon to Saint-Louis at a cost of €70.2 million and the creation of the “Boucle du riz,” a 51 km route at a cost of €29.5 million.

The Senegalese government, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development will fund the Gandon-Saint-Louis highway stretch while the African Development Bank will fund the Boucle du riz road project.

Houar Enterprise Company was awarded the two contracts as part of the wider Dakar-Tivaouane-Saint-Louis highway project and the Program to Open up Agricultural and Mining Regions.

The 200-km highway network is poised to become an important economic engine, particularly as gas production from the Grande Tortue Ahmeyim field, which is located offshore Saint-Louis, commences in early 2024.