Nigerien president launches construction of second interchange in Niamey

Under the auspices of "Niamey Nyala" (Smart Niamey, in local Zarma language) to make the Nigerien capital more attractive to international investors and visitors, the West African country's President Mahamadou Issoufou on Tuesday launched the construction of a second interchange in Niamey. It will be constructed in the city center near the first one that was constructed by a Chinese firm, CGC. The construction of the second interchange and the rehabilitation of access routes will last for 24 months and will cost a total of 26.7 billion CFA Francs (about 60 million U.S. dollars). The work will also be done by the CGC, and entirely funded by the Nigerien state. According to initiators, the construction of the second interchange in Niamey, less than two years after the first one was opened, essentially aims to improve road safety and end traffic jams. "Niamey Nyala" is an ambitious program that has received full support from President Issoufou himself, who plans to make Niamey the best town to live in by the year 2030. The program to modernize the Nigerien capital will be spread over a period of 20 years at a total cost of 644 billion CFA Francs.