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Roads are the backbone of Africa’s economies and societies. They connect people to jobs, markets, schools, and hospitals, and serve as arteries of regional trade. Yet, these vital networks are increasingly under threat. A combination of climate change, limited maintenance funding, and institutional capacity weaknesses is accelerating the deterioration of roads, disrupting mobility, and undermining connectivity across the continent.

Extreme weather events—floods, droughts, rising temperatures—are damaging infrastructure at a pace that outstrips repair. Meanwhile, many countries continue to rely on outdated asset management systems, overstretched road funds, and fragmented institutions. The result is a costly cycle of building, collapsing, and rebuilding—one that Africa can no longer afford.

The Case for Resilience

To break this cycle, a shift is needed from reactive maintenance to proactive resilience. Resilient Road Asset Management (RRAM) embeds climate risk and resilience directly into the planning, financing, and management of roadways. By leveraging data-driven, risk-informed financial planning, RRAM can save African countries millions—if not billions—of dollars by preventing costly rework and strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards.

It also calls for optimizing and diversifying sources of financing, including mobilizing private sector investment, to ensure predictable, long-term funding for road networks. Reliable roads are not only critical for everyday mobility but also for sustaining economic growth.

SSATP’s Response: A New Pillar for Resilience

Recognizing the urgency, SSATP officially launched Resilient Road Asset Management (RRAM) as its fourth pillar during the 2025 Annual General Meeting in Cotonou, Benin. Building on its legacy from the Road Management Initiative (RMI) of the late 1980s, SSATP is once again at the forefront of helping African countries improve road governance, financing, and accountability.

Funded by the European Commission and implemented by the TRAC consortium under the technical oversight of SSATP, the RRAM pillar supports African countries in embedding climate resilience into road management systems at all levels. Its work program is structured around four priority objectives:

1. Embedding climate resilience into road planning, design, and maintenance.
2. Strengthening the performance and financing of road agencies and funds.
3. Enhancing rural and local road systems, the most vulnerable yet essential links for communities.
4. Promoting digital tools and building capacity, equipping institutions with the skills and technologies to move from reactive to proactive management.

A Continental Need

A recent Africa-wide diagnostic conducted as part of the RRAM pillar’s inception report confirmed that road agencies in many countries face serious constraints: incomplete data, weak institutional capacity, insufficient integration of climate adaptation into planning, and funding shortfalls.

At the same time, compelling examples demonstrate what works. Namibia has piloted innovative funding models for sustainable road maintenance. Kenya has sustained its second-generation road fund that has brought predictability and transparency to budget planning. Ghana has introduced digital asset management systems that improve monitoring and decision-making. These experiences show that resilient road asset management is achievable—and scalable—when institutions are strong and financing is aligned.

Towards Future-Proof Roads

Africa cannot afford to lose its hard-won infrastructure gains to climate shocks. Resilient Road Asset Management offers a pathway to protect these investments, safeguard communities, and sustain growth. With the new RRAM pillar, SSATP aims to help countries develop resilient road sector financing and management systems and practices—ensuring that Africa’s roads keep people connected and economies thriving for generations to come.

Learn more about the RRAM pillar here.