World Bank’s Resilient Transport Investments in MENA: How Better Roads Drive Economic Recovery and Inclusion

The MENA Transport Challenge: Poor Roads, High Costs, and Fragility

In the Middle East and North Africa, a worn-out asphalt strip can be the difference between a farmer getting crops to market and losing an entire harvest. Across the region, transport infrastructure has suffered from decades of underinvestment, conflict-related destruction, and mounting climate pressures. The consequences are stark: in Morocco, transport costs absorb up to 20 percent of the poorest households’ disposable income. In Tunisia, only half of all local roads are deemed acceptable, and road traffic injuries cost the economy an estimated 4.5 percent of GDP annually. Lebanon recorded 578 road crash fatalities in 2019—a direct reflection of crumbling road surfaces and inadequate maintenance.

These statistics are not mere numbers; they represent missed opportunities for economic growth, social inclusion, and regional stability. The World Bank identifies high transport and logistics costs—driven by poor infrastructure and conflict-related damages—as a major barrier to economic growth and regional integration in the MENA region. As one Bank official put it, “Access to transport is crucial for economic growth, reducing regional disparities, and improving access to services.” In fragile and conflict-affected states like Yemen, the problem is even more acute. A road cut off by fighting or washed out by flash floods can isolate entire communities, cutting them off from hospitals, schools, and markets.

[IMAGE: A cracked, potholed road in a rural area of MENA with a damaged vehicle, highlighting the poor condition.]

The challenge is compounded by climate change. Extreme heat, flash floods, and sandstorms increasingly damage road surfaces, while rising sea levels threaten coastal transport corridors. Without resilient infrastructure, these climate shocks will only worsen, trapping vulnerable populations in cycles of poverty and displacement. For policymakers and development practitioners, the question is no longer whether to invest in transport, but how to invest smartly—building back better, greener, and more inclusively.

World Bank’s Integrated Strategy: Infrastructure, Institutions, and Resilience

The World Bank’s approach to transport in MENA goes far beyond simply laying asphalt. Its strategy combines physical rehabilitation with institutional strengthening, private sector participation, climate resilience, and knowledge-sharing—all framed under the Bank’s Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) agenda and its broader Strategy for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence. The logic is simple: a road that is not maintained will crumble; an institution that cannot plan will waste resources; a project that ignores climate risks will fail when the next flood hits.

[IMAGE: A map showing the four countries with icons for roads, institutions, and climate symbols.]

Projects are tailored to each country’s unique context. In Yemen, the Emergency Lifeline Connectivity Project (ELCP) focused on restoring all-weather access in a war zone. In Lebanon, the Roads and Employment Project used labor-intensive methods to create short-term jobs while rehabilitating critical roads. Tunisia’s Road Transport Corridors Project targeted key economic corridors, improving road quality and safety. And in Morocco, the North-East Economic Development Project and the Urban Transport Project are strengthening urban transport institutions and service levels.

The numbers tell the story of this integrated approach:

• Yemen: Over 150 km of roads rehabilitated, restoring vital supply routes for food, fuel, and medicine.
• Lebanon: 530 km of roads improved, creating more than 1.3 million labor-days of employment.
• Tunisia: 137 km of national and regional roads upgraded to modern standards.
• Morocco: Institutional reforms improved the efficiency of urban transport agencies and opened the door for private sector participation.

But the Bank’s work is not just about kilometers. It embeds sustainability through maintenance planning, climate risk assessments, and community engagement. In Lebanon, for example, road designs included drainage improvements to withstand heavier rainfall. In Morocco, the Urban Transport Project introduced performance-based contracts that incentivize private operators to maintain service quality. These institutional innovations are often more valuable than the roads themselves—they create the capacity for governments to manage their assets long after the project ends.

Tangible Results: Job Creation, Cost Reduction, and Climate Resilience

The proof of any infrastructure investment lies in its real-world impact. Across the four countries, World Bank transport projects have delivered measurable results that go beyond concrete and asphalt. In Lebanon and Yemen combined, over 800 km of roads have been rehabilitated, directly improving connectivity for millions of people. But the most striking outcome is the employment effect: Lebanon’s Roads and Employment Project alone generated 1.3 million labor-days, providing critical income for vulnerable households during the country’s deep economic crisis.

[IMAGE: Workers in reflective vests repairing a road in a rural Lebanese village, with mountains in the background.]

The economic logic is clear. Improved roads reduce vehicle operating costs, shorten travel times, and lower logistics expenses. In Tunisia, the rehabilitation of national roads cut travel times on key corridors by an average of 30 percent, reducing fuel consumption and vehicle wear. In Morocco, better access to rural areas has helped farmers get perishable goods to market faster, reducing post-harvest losses. For households that previously spent a fifth of their income on transport, lower costs mean more money for food, education, and healthcare.

Climate resilience is another dimension. The Bank’s projects incorporate drainage systems, erosion control, and heat-resistant pavements designed to withstand extreme weather. In Yemen, the ELCP prioritized all-weather access, meaning roads remain passable during the rainy season—a lifeline for communities that used to be cut off for weeks each year. In Morocco, new road designs include flood mitigation measures, reducing the risk of washouts that can isolate villages for days.

Perhaps the most profound impact is on vulnerable groups—women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In rural areas of Yemen and Morocco, all-weather roads mean that girls can attend school year-round, pregnant women can reach clinics for delivery, and elderly people can access health services without hours of difficult travel. The World Bank’s inclusive development lens ensures that projects consider the needs of all users, not just vehicle traffic. Sidewalks, lighting, and safe crossings are included in urban transport projects, making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

[IMAGE: Women and children walking along a newly paved road in a mountainous area, with drainage ditches visible on the sides.]

Why These Investments Matter for Fragile States

For conflict-affected countries like Yemen and Lebanon, resilient transport infrastructure is not just an economic good—it is a stabilizing force. In Yemen, the ELCP helped restore supply chains for food, fuel, and medicine at a time when the country was on the brink of famine. By improving road access, the project enabled humanitarian aid to reach remote communities and allowed local markets to function again. The same principle applies in Lebanon, where road rehabilitation created jobs for thousands of Lebanese and Syrian refugees, reducing social tensions and providing a sense of normalcy.

The World Bank’s approach in fragile states recognizes that infrastructure alone is not enough. Institutional fragility, corruption, and lack of capacity can undermine even the best-built road. That is why the Bank combines investments with technical assistance, training, and governance reforms. In Tunisia, the project supported the creation of a national road safety strategy and the strengthening of the Ministry of Transport’s capacity to manage public-private partnerships. In Morocco, the Urban Transport Project helped formalize informal transport services, bringing better regulation and safety standards to the sector.

[IMAGE: A construction supervisor explaining road safety measures to local workers in Tunisia.]

Lessons for Policymakers and Development Practitioners

The World Bank’s experience in MENA offers several actionable insights for governments and development partners.

First, invest in maintenance and institutions, not just new roads. Many countries in the region have built impressive road networks only to let them decay due to lack of maintenance. The Bank’s projects embed maintenance planning from the start, often establishing road funds or performance-based contracts that ensure long-term sustainability.

Second, use transport as a driver of employment. Labor-intensive methods, as demonstrated in Lebanon, can create large numbers of short-term jobs while building public assets. This is especially valuable in countries with high unemployment and limited social safety nets.

Third, build climate resilience into every project. Given the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather, simply repairing roads to pre-damage standards is not enough. New designs must account for projected changes in rainfall, temperature, and sea level.

Fourth, prioritize inclusion. Transport projects must consider the needs of women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Adding sidewalks, street lighting, and safe crossings may seem like small details, but they make the difference between a road that serves everyone and one that excludes the most vulnerable.

Finally, integrate with broader development strategies. Transport alone cannot solve the region’s challenges. Better roads must be linked to investments in agriculture, education, health, and social protection to unlock their full potential. The World Bank’s GRID framework provides a useful model for this kind of cross-sectoral coordination.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Recovery

As the MENA region emerges from years of conflict, economic crisis, and the lingering impacts of COVID-19, resilient transport infrastructure will be critical to recovery. The World Bank’s investments in Yemen, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco demonstrate that even in the most challenging environments, well-designed projects can deliver tangible results—better connectivity, more jobs, lower costs, and greater climate resilience.

But the scale of need remains enormous. Conflict in Syria, Libya, and Iraq, chronic fragility in the Palestinian territories, and the economic pressures of rising debt and inflation mean that many countries are still far from having the transport networks they need. The World Bank and its partners must continue to scale up investments, innovate in project design, and deepen institutional reforms.

For the millions of people across MENA who still struggle with impassable roads, high transport costs, and unsafe journeys, the path to a better future begins with a road that works. Resilient, inclusive, and well-maintained transport infrastructure is not a luxury—it is the foundation for economic recovery, social inclusion, and lasting peace.