African Development Bank Partners with Japanese Companies to Advance Climate-Resilient Road Maintenance Solutions in Africa

Strategic Insights -

The African Development Bank has signed a Letter of Intent with Shimizu Corporation, Kao Corporation, and The Nippon Road Co Ltd to advance cooperation in the deployment of innovative, climate-resilient road maintenance solutions in Africa. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, marking a significant step towards enhancing sustainability in Africa's road maintenance sector. The partnership aims to formalize a framework for mutual cooperation, information and knowledge sharing, as well as the exploration of co-financing opportunities for sustainable infrastructure solutions across Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • The African Development Bank has signed a Letter of Intent with Shimizu Corporation, Kao Corporation, and The Nippon Road Co Ltd to advance cooperation in the deployment of innovative, climate-resilient road maintenance solutions in Africa.
  • The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, on August 21.
  • The partnership aims to formalize a framework for mutual cooperation, information and knowledge sharing, as well as the exploration of co-financing opportunities for sustainable infrastructure solutions across Africa.
  • The consortium's PET Asphalt Concrete technology, a reinforced asphalt mixture with recycled PET plastic bottles, was selected in June 2025 through a competitive call for proposals under the Bank's Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa (SRMPA).
  • The solution demonstrates strong potential to enhance sustainability in Africa's road maintenance sector, while supporting circular economy principles.
  • The African Development Bank will facilitate coordination with governments, lead awareness-raising campaigns, support capacity building for local partners, and explore financing options for deployment of the technology.
  • Shimizu, Kao, and Nippon Road will conduct demand and feasibility studies, test the application of PET Asphalt Concrete in various African contexts, and assess investment opportunities for scaling up upon successful results.
  • Shimizu has already begun testing the PET Asphalt Concrete in Kenya since May this year.

Statistics:

  • The African Development Bank's Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa (SRMPA) aims to offer climate-resilient solutions to protect infrastructure investments from the impacts of climate change.
  • The Bank has selected the consortium's PET Asphalt Concrete technology through a competitive call for proposals in June 2025.
  • The solution demonstrates strong potential to enhance sustainability in Africa's road maintenance sector, supporting circular economy principles.
  • Shimizu has already begun testing the PET Asphalt Concrete in Kenya since May this year.

Sources:

  • "MIL-OSI Global Banks (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)"
  • "African Development Bank Group"
  • "Shimizu Corporation"
  • "Kao Corporation"
  • "Nippon Road Co., Ltd."
  • "Multimedia Investments Ltd, distributed by Contify.com"