Executive Summary
In the context of Ethiopia’s geography, pattern of settlement and economic activity, transport plays a vital role in facilitating economic development. In particular, it is road transport that provides the means for the movement of people, utilization of land and natural resources, improved agricultural production and marketing, access to social services, and opportunities for sustainable growth.
Recognizing the importance of the road transport in supporting social and economic growth and its role as a catalyst to meet poverty reduction targets, the Government of Ethiopia has placed increased emphasis on improvement of the quality and extent of road infrastructure in the country. To address constraints in the road sector, related to restricted road network coverage and poor condition, the Government formulated the Road Sector Development Program in 1997.
The RSDP has been implemented over a period of thirteen years and in three separate phases, as follows:
Ø RSDP I – Period from July 1997 to June 2002 (5 year plan)
Ø RSDP II – Period July 2002 to June 2007 (5 year plan)
Ø RSDP III – Period July 2007 to June 2010 (3 year plan)
Financing of the RSDP by the Government of Ethiopia and the Road Fund has been complemented and supported by additional contributions from various development partners including the World Bank, European Union, ADB, NDF, BADEA, OFID and the Governments of Japan, Germany, U.K. and Ireland. The Saudi Fund for Development, the Kuwait Fund and the Government of China have also joined the financing partnership since RSDP II.
The first 5-year phase of the RSDP was officially launched in September 1997 and ended in June 2002. The second phase, RSDP II, stretched over the period 2002 to 2007, ending in June 2007. The third phase, RSDP III, commenced in July 2007, and ended in June 2010. The program has received significant donor support with its focus on creating adequate capacity in the sector and facilitating the economic recovery process through the essential restoration of the road network, to an acceptable condition. Specifically, the program has captured rehabilitation and upgrading of main roads; construction of new roads; and the execution of regular maintenance on the road network. Together with the major program of works, all phases of the RSDP have seen a succession of major policy and institutional reforms.
Thirteen years have passed since the launch of the RSDP. This report summarizes and highlights both the major accomplishments of the program over its thirteen years and also provides details of the final year of the RSDP III.
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