South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
Press release
A vital 15-kilometre community access road has been completed and officially handed over to the people of Aweil South County. This key infrastructure will connect local communities to essential services and unlock new economic opportunities. Funded through the European Union Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) as part of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy with a contribution of EUR 22.1 million, and constructed by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the road also serves as a critical link to the strategic Kampala-Juba-Khartoum-Cairo corridor, enhancing regional connectivity and trade.
Its handover marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve rural infrastructure and food security across Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
For decades, families and residents of Mayom Lac and Ayai payams were cut off during the rainy season, when flooding made existing routes impassable for up to six months annually. The newly completed road now connects these payams (communities) to the main road network, linking Aweil South to the rest of the country, enabling year-round uninterrupted access to healthcare, education, markets and other essential services.
“The European Union is proud to support this critical infrastructure project as part of its Global Gateway strategy through the European Union Trust Fund for Africa. Improved roads are essential for connecting communities, boosting local economies and ensuring access to vital services such as healthcare and education. This road will transform lives in Aweil South and contribute to peace, stability and development in South Sudan,” said H.E. Timo Olkkonen, the European Union’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan.
The road is already transforming lives. Farmers can now access larger markets, enabling them to secure better prices for their produce, while small businesses, especially those led by women and youth, are experiencing increased opportunities for growth and development. The improved connectivity also allows families to have easier access to healthcare facilities for services and schools more easily, strengthening community resilience and livelihoods. This vital road is expected to significantly boost the local economy and improve food security in the region.
“This road is more than just infrastructure, it is a pathway to better lives,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan. “We are grateful to the European Union for their continued support in building long-term resilience and investing in the future of rural communities.”
The construction of the road was done in close collaboration with the local community through WFP’s Smallholder Agriculture Market Support programme (SAMS). This programme is designed to enhance the productivity and market access of smallholder farmers through improved aggregation, value chain integration and linkages to reliable markets.
The Mayom Lach-Ayai road is part of a broader initiative to improve food security and resilience in Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal States, as well as the Greater Upper Nile region. With the support of the European Union, WFP is supporting more than 14,500 households through integrated activities aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods, improve market access, and promote gender equality.
