In what has been described as a historic event, the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, inaugurated the country’s first highway on Monday, June 16, 2025. The 14-kilometer stretch connects Osvaldo Vieira International Airport to the city of Safim. This modern infrastructure, unprecedented since the country’s independence in 1973, marks a major advancement in the development of national road infrastructure.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Safim, in the presence of numerous national and diplomatic authorities, including the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, the country that fully financed the construction of this highway with 14.7 million dollars.
A strategic infrastructure
This section is part of the West African coastal road project, a vast regional integration program aimed at improving connectivity between several ECOWAS countries. In Guinea-Bissau, this highway represents more than just a transportation route: it is a symbol of the progressive modernization of transport infrastructure in a country where the road network is largely degraded or non-existent.
The official groundbreaking ceremony for the construction took place on January 22, 2021. The work was carried out by a Chinese company, with the participation of local labor.
Expected socio-economic impact
The commissioning of this highway is expected to have a significant impact on the population. By facilitating mobility between the airport and the municipality of Safim, located about ten kilometers from Bissau, this infrastructure will help alleviate congestion in the capital, boost local commerce, and stimulate investments in this strategic area.
For users, this road means significant time savings, increased safety, and reduced transport costs, especially for goods in transit. It is also seen as a development lever for surrounding rural areas that have long been isolated.
A politically significant project
This inauguration comes at a time when President Embaló wants to showcase a strong infrastructure record as his mandate comes to an end. In his speech, the Head of State praised Sino-Guinean cooperation, calling China a “strategic partner for the sustainable development of Guinea-Bissau.” He also announced that this project is just the beginning, mentioning other development works planned as part of the national road modernization plan.
As Guinea-Bissau gradually positions itself in major ECOWAS projects, the Airport-Safim highway symbolizes a new ambition: to break out of isolation and lay the foundations for more inclusive growth.
