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The 22nd General Assembly of the African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA) was held in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 17- 21, 2025. The event brought together 245 ARMFA member road funds, policymakers, development partners, and technical experts, including representatives of the European Union (EU), the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), to discuss new ways of financing and sustaining Africa’s road networks amid growing climate risks, mounting maintenance backlogs, and evolving mobility demands. 

Held under the banner of exchanging experiences and sharing best practices, the General Assembly provided a platform for the road fund community to reflect collectively on emerging challenges and practical solutions. Discussions focused on strengthening governance frameworks, accelerating the digitalization of road fund operations, addressing the growing impact of climate change on the deterioration of road networks, and exploring alternative financing mechanisms to enhance and scale up road fund interventions. Together, these exchanges reaffirmed the shared commitment to building more resilient, efficient, and sustainable road maintenance systems across the continent.

High-level leadership and shared commitment

Opening the General Assembly, H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia, emphasized the strategic importance of the gathering. He called on participants to move beyond diagnosis toward action, stating: “Let this be a forum for practical solutions, where we reflect on what has worked, what hasn’t, and how we can boldly shape the future of Africa’s roads.” He highlighted the critical role that road infrastructure plays in advancing Africa’s social and economic ambitions, stressing that reliable transportation access is central to the achievement of Agenda 2063 and the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

For Mr. Essaie Moussa Aubin, President of ARMFA, this General Assembly represented far more than a statutory meeting. He highlighted the inclusive and participatory nature of the event, noting: “Whether you are decision-makers, donors, technical experts, civil society representatives, or from the private sector, your voice matters. Your engagement is essential. It will be a laboratory of ideas, a crossroads of solutions, and a catalyst for tangible partnerships.”

Advancing resilient road asset management 

Following the institutional opening, Océane Kéou, SSATP Pillar Lead for Resilient Road Asset Management (RRAM), and José Cordovilla, Team Leader of the EU-funded Technical Assistance, presented the strategic direction and early deliverables of SSATP’s new RRAM pillar. The presentation highlighted the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s road institutions in response to climate-related risks, chronic underinvestment in maintenance, and persistent financing gaps. Building on evidence demonstrating the high economic returns of investing in resilience, Ms Kéou outlined SSATP’s RRAM vision, which is structured around the following core areas: sustainable funding and financing, digitalization of road assets and management processes, and improved planning and delivery of maintenance. Through diagnostics, baseline surveys, guidance materials, and peer-learning platforms, SSATP aims to support road agencies, road funds, line ministries, and local governments in advancing these core areas and informing their operational reforms.

The SSATP session was followed by a panel of development partners. Speaking on behalf of the European Union in Liberia, Mr. Gerald Fuller outlined how the EU Global Gateway is refocusing Europe’s support to Africa’s transport sector through a strategic corridor-based approach that places resilient road asset management at the center of connectivity investments. He highlighted the EU’s engagement across the continent, combining large-scale road infrastructure financing—including blended operations—with strong institutional and governance support, notably through its role as the main donor to SSATP’s Fourth Development Plan (DP4). Mr. Fuller stressed the need to address institutional fragmentation, cross-border barriers, and chronic underfunding of road maintenance, noting that “investing in resilient, well-maintained corridors is essential for strengthening supply chains, protecting infrastructure value, and supporting sustainable growth for our African partners.”

Looking ahead: toward the next generation of road funds

As Africa moves toward more integrated markets, greener transitions, and increasingly complex mobility needs, the road sector must adapt accordingly. In this context, the Monrovia General Assembly underscored the readiness of the road fund community to engage with this agenda. Building on this momentum, SSATP will continue working with ARMFA and its member states to support practical reforms and measurable improvements in road asset management, helping lay the foundations for the next generation of road funds.