Malakal Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project
Budget: £10 – £15 GBP
A practical infrastructure project for Malakal (Upper Nile State), South Sudan should focus on restoring basic services that support economic recovery, public health, and the return of displaced communities. Malakal has experienced years of conflict, flooding, and population displacement, but it remains a strategic river city on the White Nile and a gateway for trade in Upper Nile State. Recent UN and government plans identify rehabilitation of water, roads, health, education, and public infrastructure as top priorities.Project Title
Malakal Integrated Water, Roads, and Market Rehabilitation Project (MIWRMP)
Goal
Restore essential infrastructure in Malakal to improve living conditions, create jobs, and support economic growth for approximately 150,000–200,000 residents, including returnees and host communities.
Project Components
1. Urban Road Rehabilitation
Rehabilitate 20 km of key roads connecting:
Malakal River Port
Central Market
Malakal Teaching Hospital
Airport
Residential neighbourhoods
Construct drainage channels to reduce flooding.
Install solar-powered street lighting.
Estimated cost: £10–14 million
2. Water Supply Improvement
Rehabilitate the town's water treatment facilities.
Drill 10–15 new boreholes.
Extend approximately 30 km of water distribution pipelines.
Install solar-powered pumping systems.
Build public water kiosks in underserved areas.
Estimated cost: £6–8 million
3. River Port Modernisation Malakal's location on the White Nile makes river transport one of the most cost-effective ways to move goods.
Improvements include:
New loading dock
Warehouses
Cargo handling equipment
Passenger waiting area
Security lighting
Estimated cost: £5–7 million
4. Market Redevelopment Rebuild the central market with:
Permanent vendor stalls
Water supply
Public toilets
Waste collection facilities
Solar lighting
Small business spaces
Estimated cost: £3–5 million
5. Drainage and Flood Protection
Rehabilitate drainage canals.
Construct small flood-control embankments in vulnerable areas.
Improve stormwater management.
Estimated cost: £5–8 million
6. Capacity Building
Train local engineers and technicians.
Create community maintenance committees.
Establish an infrastructure maintenance fund.
Estimated cost: £1–2 million
Total Estimated Budget
Component
Estimated Cost
Roads
£10–14 million
Water supply
£6–8 million
River port
£5–7 million
Market
£3–5 million
Drainage
£5–8 million
Capacity building
£1–2 million
Total
£30–44 million
Expected Outcomes
Reliable access to clean water for over 150,000 people.
Reduced flooding during the rainy season.
Improved access to hospitals, schools, and markets.
Lower transport costs through improved roads and river facilities.
Creation of 1,500–2,500 temporary construction jobs and several hundred permanent jobs in maintenance, transport, and commerce.
Increased trade between Malakal and neighbouring regions.
Potential Funding Partners
World Bank
African Development Bank
United Nations Development Programme
Japan International Cooperation Agency
Government of South Sudan
European Union development programmes
Why this project?
Current recovery strategies for Upper Nile emphasise rebuilding public infrastructure, improving water services, supporting livelihoods, and enabling the safe return of displaced populations. Malakal's role as a regional commercial centre on the White Nile means investments in transport, water, and markets can have benefits across much of Upper Nile State
Malakal Integrated Water, Roads, and Market Rehabilitation Project (MIWRMP)
Goal
Restore essential infrastructure in Malakal to improve living conditions, create jobs, and support economic growth for approximately 150,000–200,000 residents, including returnees and host communities.
Project Components
1. Urban Road Rehabilitation
Rehabilitate 20 km of key roads connecting:
Malakal River Port
Central Market
Malakal Teaching Hospital
Airport
Residential neighbourhoods
Construct drainage channels to reduce flooding.
Install solar-powered street lighting.
Estimated cost: £10–14 million
2. Water Supply Improvement
Rehabilitate the town's water treatment facilities.
Drill 10–15 new boreholes.
Extend approximately 30 km of water distribution pipelines.
Install solar-powered pumping systems.
Build public water kiosks in underserved areas.
Estimated cost: £6–8 million
3. River Port Modernisation Malakal's location on the White Nile makes river transport one of the most cost-effective ways to move goods.
Improvements include:
New loading dock
Warehouses
Cargo handling equipment
Passenger waiting area
Security lighting
Estimated cost: £5–7 million
4. Market Redevelopment Rebuild the central market with:
Permanent vendor stalls
Water supply
Public toilets
Waste collection facilities
Solar lighting
Small business spaces
Estimated cost: £3–5 million
5. Drainage and Flood Protection
Rehabilitate drainage canals.
Construct small flood-control embankments in vulnerable areas.
Improve stormwater management.
Estimated cost: £5–8 million
6. Capacity Building
Train local engineers and technicians.
Create community maintenance committees.
Establish an infrastructure maintenance fund.
Estimated cost: £1–2 million
Total Estimated Budget
Component
Estimated Cost
Roads
£10–14 million
Water supply
£6–8 million
River port
£5–7 million
Market
£3–5 million
Drainage
£5–8 million
Capacity building
£1–2 million
Total
£30–44 million
Expected Outcomes
Reliable access to clean water for over 150,000 people.
Reduced flooding during the rainy season.
Improved access to hospitals, schools, and markets.
Lower transport costs through improved roads and river facilities.
Creation of 1,500–2,500 temporary construction jobs and several hundred permanent jobs in maintenance, transport, and commerce.
Increased trade between Malakal and neighbouring regions.
Potential Funding Partners
World Bank
African Development Bank
United Nations Development Programme
Japan International Cooperation Agency
Government of South Sudan
European Union development programmes
Why this project?
Current recovery strategies for Upper Nile emphasise rebuilding public infrastructure, improving water services, supporting livelihoods, and enabling the safe return of displaced populations. Malakal's role as a regional commercial centre on the White Nile means investments in transport, water, and markets can have benefits across much of Upper Nile State