Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has been named the 2022 winner of the Africa Road Builders – Babacar Ndiaye Trophy. The prize is awarded to leading figures in Africa who have demonstrated their commitment to the development of transport infrastructure on the continent.
According to the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), the 2022 trophy will be awarded at the final conference of the Africa Road Builders, which is scheduled to take place alongside the African Development Bank’s next Annual Meetings in May this year in Accra, Ghana.
The selection committee for the award commended Hassan for her “personal leadership, huge investments and commitment” to extending roads and the railway network in Tanzania. The selection committee stated that “We send our warm congratulations to President Samia Hassan and the people of Tanzania”.
Major projects considered
The committee based its decision on a careful review and analysis of some important projects undertaken by Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan in Tanzania before bestowing the honor on her.
The AfDB disclosed in statement that the committee took into consideration the $290 million provided by the African Development Bank to support the revitalization of road, rail and air transport in Tanzania. It also took into account the $172.2 million contract signed with the China Corporation Limited to supply the country with 1,430 modern freight wagons to implement the ambitious Tanzania Railways Corporation railway program.
Additionally, the committee noted the official start of construction on the historic project to build an outer ring road around the city of Dodoma. This project was launched by President Hassan on February 11, 2022, in the presence of the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, during his working visit to the East African nation.
Currently, the only female head of state in Africa, Hassan came to power in March 2021, following the death of President John Magufuli, under whom she served as Vice-President.
The Africa Road Builders Babacar Ndiaye Trophy
Sponsored by the African Development Bank’s Adesina, the Africa Road Builders Babacar Ndiaye Trophy is organized by Acturoutes, an information platform on infrastructure and roads in Africa, and the organization Media for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa (MIFA), a network of African journalists specializing in road infrastructure.
Until the award is officially handed over to Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, Nigerian President, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, remains the holder, having received the award in 2021 due to Nigeria’s efforts to improve road safety and air quality for road users. Nigeria was commended by the Select Committee for its efforts to obtain COVID-19 vaccines and for advancing major transport projects, especially in the rail sector that would ensure the optimal operation of roads and transport.
In 2020, Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, was awarded the Babacar Ndiaye Great Road Builder Award as the distinct head of state whose country initiated outstanding projects or achievements in relation to the development of roads, transportation and mobility in that year.
Al Sisi was recognized for his “personal leadership” in the development and construction of projects in Cairo such as the Heliopolis metro station, as well as a suspension bridge project on the Nile, George Orido. He received the award during a virtual inaugural meeting which saw global participation.
The trophy was instituted in honour of Babacar Ndiaye, President of the African Development Bank Group from 1985 to 1995. Each year, the Africa Road Builders Selection Committee carefully evaluates ambitious and concrete projects that have a real impact on the mobility of populations.
RAED ALSO: Government’s Policy Measures Yielding Results – Prof Eric Osei-Assibey
