Luanda: African nations must use appropriate, climate-resilient materials to construct and protect rural roads against extreme weather, the head of the Southern Africa Focus Group (ASAFG) said Monday. Speaking at the opening of the group's second meeting in the Angolan capital, ASAFG President Stewart Malata warned that rural transport networks across the continent are increasingly exposed to severe rainfall, intense heat, and related environmental hazards.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Malata emphasized the necessity of building road networks capable of withstanding tomorrow's climate. He noted that when rural transport links are damaged, the movement of goods and services grinds to a halt while maintenance and rehabilitation costs rise sharply.
The four-day conference, which runs through September 24, brings together regional officials to discuss sustainable financing models and infrastructure maintenance. Angola is hosting the event as part of a rotating chair system among member states to reinforce regional cooperation and connectivity.
The ASAFG comprises nine Southern African nations: Angola, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
