Development of the Village Access Road system for West African Environment

The Village Access Road (VAR) concept is developed in response to the spread of motorcycle taxis in rural sub-Saharan Africa over the last few decades. Motorcycle taxis improve access for rural communities to markets, health and educational services, and are well suited to navigate SSA’s feeder roads. However, many deep rural villages are connected to the roadside by no more than a footpath, beyond the reach of the versatile motorcycle taxi. The VAR intervention upgrades these footpaths going from farm-to-village-to roadside to motorcycle taxi/intermediate means of transport accessible tracks, so that communities have improved, safe and all-season access. This replaces the often long and arduous journeys by foot with a much more convenient and quicker motorcycle journey, allowing for much heavier loads to be taken as well.