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The AfDB’s support for the Maritime Corridor and Regional Trade Facilitation Project (PACMFCR) involves the extension and modernisation of two ports.

The Union of the Comoros has three ports located in Moroni (Grande Comores), Mutsamudu (Anjouan) and Boingoma (Mohéli). Around 90% of freight to and between the three islands of the Comoros archipelago is transported by sea.

The AfDB said that the potential for the Comoros to develop the fisheries, agriculture and tourism sectors is hampered by “major structural challenges”, particularly when it comes to the poor quality of port infrastructure.

To accommodate ferries and fishing boats, the port of Moroni will be expanded by a new 240-metre quay and the port of Boingoma by a 136-metre quay.

The project will also involve the construction of 10 fisheries products stores, equipped with solar-powered cold rooms and refrigerated island transport solutions adapted to women’s needs, close to each of the ports.

It will support women’s cooperatives by providing them with deep-freezing equipment for the production and processing of fisheries and agricultural products.

The AfDB’s director general for Eastern Africa, Nnenna Nwabufo, said, “The project, which has just been approved by the Boards of Directors of the Bank Group, aims to increase the capacity and efficiency of the ports of Moroni and Boingoma to meet current and future needs. It will help develop local value chains in fisheries and agriculture sectors, and facilitate inter-island and regional trade.”

The project will be co-financed by several institutions including the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Agence Française de Développement.