The Asian Development
Bank (ADB) and the Government of
Samoa today signed a $5 million
grant to help fund the preparation of
ADB-supported land transport
projects in Samoa.
The Minister of Finance Mulipola
Anarosa Ale-Molio’o and ADB
Director General for the Pacific Leah
Gutierrez signed the agreement,
which will fund assessments,
planning, and capacity building to
implement land transport projects.
ADB is providing $5 million from its
Asian Development Fund for the
grant, while the Government of
Samoa is contributing $500,000.
“Using ADB’s project readiness
financing (PRF), we can help
Samoa better deliver land transport
projects and support the
government in carrying out project
preparatory activities and help
manage any technical and
implementation issues upfront,” said

Ms. Gutierrez.
“The government is committed to ensuring that the foundations required to empower
communities, share prosperity, and build resilience are in place. The road network is
Samoa’s most valuable infrastructure and is essential to the country’s economic
development, contributing to growing domestic and international trade and commerce,”
said Minister Mulipola. “The government recognizes that building resilience or adapting
to climate change impacts is central to our sustainable development and survival for the
present and future generations.”
Samoa consists of the two main islands of Upolu and Savai’i and seven small volcanic
islands, in the South Pacific Ocean. External and internal transport costs are relatively
high because of its remoteness from major international markets. Apart from the ferry
service between Upolu and Savai’i and boats to smaller islands, the population relies on

road transport. Samoa’s national road network, which serves an estimated 16,500
registered vehicles, totals 1,262 kilometers.  It enables the safe and efficient movement
of people and goods and provides access to key social services such as schools and
health facilities. It also ensures access to vulnerable communities during emergencies.
Within the framework of planned road and bridge projects in the country, the PRF will
identify investment scope and advance procurement actions and boost the capacity of
executing and implementing agencies involved.
The PRF is aligned with the government’s pathway for the development of Samoa
under the theme “Empowering communities, building resilience and inspiring growth”.

It is also aligned with ADB’s Strategy 2030 and its focus on strengthening connectivity
and access in small island developing states and with ADB’s Pacific Approach, which
will help strengthen their resilience by preparing for and responding to delivering
sustainable services as well as focus on tackling climate change, building climate and
disaster resilience.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia
and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in
1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region..