Grand Nokoué Sustainable Urban Mobility Project (GN-SUMP)

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Benin has experienced sustained economic growth, largely driven by Grand Nokoue region (GN), home to Cotonou and the Autonomous Port of Cotonou (APC), which contributes over two-thirds of national GDP and facilitates 90 percent of the country’s foreign trade. Despite its economic significance, GN faces severe mobility and accessibility constraints that hinder productivity and urban livability. Congestion is a major issue, particularly along RNIE1 and RNIE2, where peak-hour travel times increase by 65 to 115 percent, significantly raising transport costs. Road safety risks are also high, with GN accounting for 57.6 percent of national accidents and 52 percent of fatalities, most of which involve two-wheelers. Air pollution, driven by poor fuel quality from informal imports, results in mortality rates substantially exceeding regional averages. Affordability remains a challenge, as mototaxi fares for longer trips are nearly equivalent to the average daily household consumption expenditure.These issues are further exacerbated by rapid population growth, projected to increase from 2.38 million in 2020 to 3 million by 2030, along with an unreliable and fragmented transport system. The dominance of informal mototaxis (zemidjans) and minibuses (tokpa-tokpa) contributes to high accident rates and poor service quality. Meanwhile, inadequate transport infrastructure remains a key concern, with only 20 percent of roads paved and insufficient provisions for non-motorized transport despite walking being the primary mode of travel. Climate risks, including flooding, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events, further threaten urban transport infrastructure, highlighting the need for resilient solutions.To address these challenges, the Government of Benin (GoB) developed the Grand Nokoue Urban Mobility Plan (PMU) in 2020, which outlines a shift toward an integrated and multimodal transport system. The plan prioritizes governance reforms, including the establishment of a unified urban mobility authority, and aims to regulate and professionalize informal transport. It also proposes the development of two high-capacity public transit corridors—Abomey-Calavi to Cotonou and Ouidah to Cotonou, extending to Seme-Podji and Porto-Novo—where structured bus and lake transport services will be introduced. Additionally, investments in resilient transport infrastructure are planned to improve mobility and climate adaptation.The proposed project is designed to transform urban mobility through a two-phase investment program. The first phase (SOP1), valued at USD 490 million(USD 200 million from IDA, USD 200 million from AIIB co-financing, and USD 90 million expected from Private sector), focuses on immediate mobility improvements, public transport development, and governance reforms. The second phase (SOP2) will build on these efforts, expanding public transport networks and infrastructure investments.The project will strengthen urban mobility governance by establishing a metropolitan mobility authority, developing financing mechanisms, and improving policy frameworks(Component1). It will support the professionalization of the paratransit sector by regulating informal operators, enhancing driver training, and improving road safety and lake transport safety oversight(Component2). Infrastructure investments will include the establishment of zero-emission bus and lake transport services, rehabilitation of key roads, and the deployment of intelligent transport systems to optimize traffic flows(Component 3). The project also supports the electrification of zemidjans, with a large-scale transition to electric two-wheelers and the development of a local e-mobility industry to support vehicle assembly, battery recycling, and charging infrastructure(Component4). Institutional capacity building will ensure effective project implementation(Component 5), while climate resilience measures will be integrated into all aspects of urban mobility planning.By improving urban mobility, GN-SUMP will enhance economic productivity, accessibility, and social inclusion while reducing the environmental impact of transport. With a focus on sustainable and climate-resilient urban development, the project aims to make Grand Nokoue a model for modern, efficient, and low-carbon mobility in West Africa.