The Roads Development and Transport Facilitation Programme is a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at significantly improving regional connectivity within the Mano River Union (MRU). This multi-phase project is focused on upgrading key road networks to asphaltic concrete standards, thereby facilitating more efficient movement of goods and people across member states. The programme also includes the development of One Stop Border Posts (OSBP), which are designed to streamline customs and immigration processes, reduce trade bottlenecks, and enhance economic integration in the sub-region.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU) have been the primary financial backers of this initiative, with substantial investments made over several phases. For instance, Phase 1 involved the upgrade of 372 kilometers of roads and the construction of OSBPs, supported by €100 million from the EU and UA 221 million from the AfDB. Subsequent phases have continued to build on this progress, with the most recent phase focused on enhancing connectivity between Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.

The MRU Secretariat plays a pivotal role in coordinating the regional components of this project, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, cross-border bridges, and OSBPs. By improving transportation infrastructure, this programme aims to boost intra-regional trade, foster economic growth, and promote sustainable development across the MRU member states.