The Modjo–Hawassa Expressway in Ethiopia, a 202-kilometer high-standard toll road, is transforming transportation and trade connectivity across southern Ethiopia. Supported by the World Bank and other development partners, the project aims to reduce travel time by up to 40% and lower vehicle operating costs by as much as 20%. The expressway will also improve access to markets, services, and industrial zones for over 1.5 million people living along the corridor. As part of the Cairo–Cape Town Trans-African Highway, it strengthens Ethiopia’s logistics network and supports regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
For drivers like Solomon from Hawassa, the new expressway has already made a tangible difference. What used to be a difficult five-hour journey on narrow, congested roads has become significantly faster and safer. The expressway is Ethiopia’s second toll road and the first built to international standards, linking major cities and industrial hubs such as Modjo, Batu, Shashamene, and Hawassa. It serves as a critical artery for domestic and cross-border trade, forming a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s long-term transport development goals.
The project aligns with the government’s 10-Year Development Plan (2021–2030), which prioritizes strategic transport corridors, improved logistics, and greater regional economic integration. The Batu–Arsi Negele segment, financed through a $295 million World Bank credit, is more than 85% complete as of March 2025. Built to high quality and safety standards, the expressway features dual carriageways, interchanges, wildlife crossings, and modern tolling systems. Environmental and social safeguards were integral to its development, ensuring community participation, responsible resettlement, and risk mitigation during construction.
Once operational, the expressway will substantially cut travel time between Modjo and Hawassa and reduce vehicle costs related to fuel and maintenance. Beyond mobility, it will improve access to essential services and connect small businesses and farmers to growing markets and industrial centers, including the Hawassa Industrial Park. This enhanced connectivity will help boost job creation, expand export potential, and improve supply chain efficiency throughout Ethiopia and neighboring countries.
The expressway’s regional significance extends beyond Ethiopia. As part of the Trans-African Highway, it links ten countries and facilitates more efficient freight movement with Kenya and other trading partners. By easing bottlenecks and strengthening logistics, the project directly supports AfCFTA objectives to reduce trade costs and foster economic growth across Africa.
Designed with climate resilience in mind, the expressway incorporates drainage and erosion control systems to withstand seasonal flooding. It also brought employment and skills opportunities to local communities during construction. For Ethiopia, the Modjo–Hawassa Expressway represents more than just a road—it is a model of how coordinated planning, sustainable financing, and infrastructure investment can drive inclusive growth and regional progress.
