For Solomon, a freight driver based in Hawassa, the journey north to Modjo used to take close to five hours—often longer, depending on road conditions. “You’d leave early and still arrive late,” he recalls. “The road was narrow, always crowded, and sometimes unpredictable.”
Today, as Ethiopia moves toward the completion of the Modjo–Hawassa Expressway, Solomon’s experience is already changing. Travel times have dropped, driving conditions have improved, and the route now offers more reliable movement for freight operators and passenger vehicles alike.
The Modjo–Hawassa Expressway is Ethiopia’s second major toll road and the first expressway built to international standards, extending south of Addis Ababa. Spanning 202 kilometers, it connects growing urban and industrial centers—Modjo, Batu, Shashamene, and Hawassa—forming a strategic corridor for domestic trade and cross-border logistics.
The project supports Ethiopia’s long-term transport development strategy, as articulated in its 10-Year Development Plan (2021–2030), which emphasizes the expansion of strategic economic corridors, improved logistics performance, and enhanced regional integration. With support from development partners and national investment, the expressway was designed to reduce transport costs, enhance economic competitiveness, and expand access to services for the more than 1.5 million people living along the corridor.
The Batu–Arsi Negele segment—financed through a $295 million credit from the World Bank—is now over 85% complete (March 2025). The expressway has been constructed to international quality and safety standards and features dual carriageways, grade-separated interchanges, dedicated wildlife crossings, and electronic tolling infrastructure to support sustainable maintenance.
In line with World Bank policy, the project was developed under comprehensive environmental and social safeguard frameworks. These standards helped mitigate construction risks, support resettlement planning, and ensure inclusive community engagement throughout implementation.
Enhancing Trade, Access, and Economic Opportunity
Once fully operational, the expressway is expected to reduce travel times between Modjo and Hawassa by up to 40%, cutting journeys from five hours to roughly three. Vehicle operating costs are projected to decline by 15–20%, including savings on fuel, maintenance, and repairs.
But improvements extend beyond cost and time savings. The expressway improves access to schools, health centers, and local markets. It links agricultural producers and small enterprises to distribution hubs and industrial zones—such as Hawassa Industrial Park, which employs over 30,000 workers—providing more efficient transport options to dry ports and export centers near Addis Ababa.
As part of the government’s strategy to establish Ethiopia as a regional logistics hub, the expressway also integrates with broader cross-border transport objectives. It forms part of the Cairo–Cape Town Trans-African Highway, a 10,000+ kilometer corridor connecting ten African countries. As part of Ethiopia’s growing logistics and transport system, the road will help facilitate more seamless freight movement with Kenya and neighboring countries.
When integrated with improvements along Kenya’s northern corridor and Ethiopia’s internal road network, the expressway will help reduce delays and improve efficiency across key regional supply chains. These gains directly support the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to reduce trade costs and expand economic opportunity across the continent.
By reducing bottlenecks and expanding cross-border connectivity, the expressway contributes to making goods more affordable for consumers and enhancing market competitiveness for businesses.
The project also incorporates climate-conscious design, with infrastructure features aimed at mitigating seasonal disruptions and extending asset durability. Older sections of the corridor were often affected by flooding and erosion; the new expressway improves resilience and year-round accessibility.
Solomon’s experience is representative of broader benefits seen along the corridor. For commuters, traders, and service providers, the improved road enables more reliable travel, lowers costs, and enhances daily productivity. The project also supported local employment during construction and incorporated community feedback through structured consultations.
By aligning with Ethiopia’s national infrastructure planning and leveraging development financing, the Modjo–Hawassa Expressway offers a strong example of coordinated infrastructure delivery. The project combines technical quality, stakeholder engagement, and regional alignment to deliver long-term economic and social value—locally and beyond Ethiopia’s borders.
