signs on behalf of South Sudan Roads Authority and signs on behalf of the Ethiopai's based complany

The South Sudan Roads Authority (SSRA) has officially signed a contract with Ethiopian-based Stadia Engineering Works Consultant to prepare the concept design for the 220-kilometer Pagak–Maiuwt–Paloch Road, a critical cross-border highway linking South Sudan and Ethiopia.

In an official Facebook post on Monday, the SSRA explained that the concept design marks the preliminary engineering phase of the project.

This phase will establish the proposed road alignment and design standards, outline preliminary traffic parameters, and assess environmental and social considerations along the corridor.

The study will also provide indicative cost estimates, forming the basis for the detailed engineering design and eventual procurement of a construction contractor.

Authorities emphasize that the road project will play a key role in improving connectivity in Upper Nile State.

The highway is expected to facilitate easier access to oil-producing areas, support trade between South Sudan and Ethiopia, enhance humanitarian access, and stimulate socio-economic development in towns along the route, including Pagak, Maiuwt, Paloch, and Mathiang.

The project’s origins date back to May 19, 2023, when South Sudan and Ethiopia signed an agreement in Juba to construct the Paloch–Mathiang–Maiwut–Pagak Road.

The road aims to link western Ethiopia’s Gambela region with northeastern South Sudan, creating a strategic transport corridor between the two countries.

In November 2024, South Sudan’s Minister of Roads and Bridges, alongside the Ethiopian Ambassador in Juba, confirmed that construction was set to begin in 2025, following the ratification of a $738 million US-dollar loan financing.

South Sudan formally ratified the loan in June 2024, a necessary step to secure the funding for the 220 km highway.

The agreement required legislative approval from both nations before implementation, which was provided by South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on June 25, 2024.

The road will not only enhance regional trade but also improve transportation for local communities, connecting agricultural areas to markets, and facilitating the movement of goods and services.

Experts say that the project could have long-term benefits for peace and stability by strengthening cross-border ties and creating employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases.

The SSRA has indicated that following the completion of the concept design, detailed engineering and construction phases will proceed, paving the way for one of the most significant infrastructure projects in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State in recent years.