You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
BUSINESS<br />
A passage to riches<br />
The new trans-Gambia bridge<br />
will create free traffic flow from<br />
the north of Senegal across The<br />
Gambia to the southern parts of<br />
Senegal, promoting free movement<br />
of persons, goods and services.<br />
b.spirit investigates the impact of<br />
the project, and how it will<br />
transform the lives of those living<br />
on the banks of the Gambia River<br />
50 BRUSSELS AIRLINES | B.SPIRIT MAGAZINE<br />
Arab traders provided the first<br />
written accounts in the 9th and<br />
10th centuries of trans-Saharan<br />
trade routes through The Gambia.<br />
This trade heritage could soon be<br />
reignited following an agreement between the<br />
governments of The Gambia and Senegal that will<br />
see the construction of a bridge across the Gambia<br />
River. It is expected that the road that connects the<br />
bridge to the south of Senegal will also be renovated<br />
as part of the project.<br />
The Gambia River, the nation’s namesake that<br />
flows through the country’s centre and empties into<br />
the Atlantic Ocean, is a major river in west Africa<br />
covering an area of 11,295 square kilometres and<br />
running 1,130 kilometres from the Fouta Djallon<br />
plateau in north Guinea westward through Senegal<br />
and The Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean at Banjul.<br />
It is navigable for about half that length but lacks a<br />
fixed connection across it. The current service is by<br />
ferry and the road links are poor, with problems<br />
compounded by complicated customs procedures.<br />
The construction of the bridge will allow free<br />
traffic flow between the northern and southern parts<br />
of both The Gambia and Senegal. Analysts believe<br />
that the construction of the bridge, measuring 942<br />
metres in length, is good news for The Gambia,<br />
Senegal and west African trade in general, providing<br />
a road link that will make it possible to cross the<br />
Gambia River – an essential link of the Dakar-<br />
Lagos corridor.<br />
The project will reduce travel time, boost trade<br />
and reinforce cohesion among communities that<br />
were previously isolated. Moreover, it will facilitate<br />
transportation of agricultural produce – the main<br />
source of income for those living on the banks – to<br />
markets, which will reduce post-harvest losses and<br />
boost socio-economic activities.<br />
The funding will come from the African<br />
Development Bank (AfDB), following the board’s
Change language