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Comoros Interisland Connectivity Project (PICMC)

Fomboni, Comoros

2020 - Ongoing

Climate ChangeInfrastructureMobilityTransportation

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Project Description

Approach Words: Capacity Building, Integrated City, Sustainability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Planning, Regulatory

The Comoros Interisland Connectivity Project (PICMC) is a comprehensive mobility initiative aimed at improving maritime transportation, infrastructure, connectivity and mobility, climate resilience and safety among the islands of Grande Comore, Moheli, and Anjouan.¹ ²
PICMC envisions the development of a “safer, more efficient,³ and environmentally sustainable interisland maritime transport system that promotes socioeconomic integration.”⁴ The project adopts a multifaceted approach that includes upgrading port infrastructure, renewing vessels, and strengthening maritime authorities across the Comoros archipelago.⁵ Additionally, it ensures alignment with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) through the implementation of measures such as an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).⁶

Title: The major roads and maritine transport network in Comoros

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Title: Maritime interisland transportation in Comoros

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Title: The Harbour of Chindini, located at the southern tip of Grande Comore, serves as the departure point for boats heading to Moheli

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Title: Residents of Grand Comore awaiting their journey to Moheli

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Title: The major roads and maritine transport network in Comoros

Source: Click Here

Title: Maritime interisland transportation in Comoros

Source: Click Here

Title: The Harbour of Chindini, located at the southern tip of Grande Comore, serves as the departure point for boats heading to Moheli

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Title: Residents of Grand Comore awaiting their journey to Moheli

Source: Click Here

To implement the vision, a comprehensive project framework was proposed, comprising four key components aligning with these standards:

Component 1: Enhancement of Ports infrastructure:
With an estimated budget between $25–42 million,⁷ this component focusses on modernizing critical port facilities. At the core is the rehabilitation of Port Fomboni, whose current 2.4-meter draft and 80-meter quay restrict annual cargo capacity⁸ and deter larger vessels,⁹ leading to reduced inter-island transport demand and pushing operators towards informal routes.¹⁰ The component also includes constructing a breakwater at Port Boingoma to enhance climate resilience and mitigate the impact of northern waves.¹¹
Component 2: Improvement of Secondary Ports:
This $2 million component aims to enhance connectivity across the three islands by upgrading¹² key kwassa-kwassa landing sites: Chindini and Ouropveni in Grande Comore, Hoani and Itsamia in Moheli, and Bimbini in Anjouan.¹³ Improvements include the addition of sheltered areas, better landing slopes, waste management systems, navigation aids,¹⁴ and accessibility features like ramps and signage.¹⁵ The project also addresses safety concerns for women by improving lighting and creating open, visible spaces.¹⁶
Component 3: Vessel Renewal and Maritime Safety Program:
This $2 million¹⁷ component aims to enhance maritime safety and efficiency¹⁸ by replacing old kwassa-kwassa vessels with safer, eco-friendly boats, formalizing transport services, and improving regulatory capacity.¹⁹ It offers partial subsidies to help operators renew fleets, reducing emissions and increasing vessel capacity.²⁰ The program also includes a contingency mechanism for reallocating funds during emergencies under World Bank guidelines.²¹
Component 4: Implementation support and capacity building: This $2 million component supports the project’s implementation by funding preparatory work, such as detailed design and safeguard documentation.²² It includes two sub-components: one dedicated to implementation support for smooth project execution, and another focused-on capacity building to enhance stakeholder skills and capabilities.²³

Owner/Developer (Public)

Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport ³²

Government of the Union of Comoros ³³

Funder

World Bank (WB)³⁴

International Development Association (IDA)³⁵

French Agency for Development ³⁶

Contractor/Implementer

Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport ³⁷

Société Comorienne des Ports ³⁸

Owner/Developer (Public)

Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport ³²

Government of the Union of Comoros ³³

Contractor/Implementer

Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport ³⁷

Société Comorienne des Ports ³⁸

Funder

World Bank (WB)³⁴

International Development Association (IDA)³⁵

French Agency for Development ³⁶

The project is expected to benefit local communities by providing safer, more reliable transport and better access to goods and services.²⁴ Businesses will gain improved connectivity to expand markets and trade.²⁵ Tourists will enjoy safer, more efficient travel, boosting the tourism sector.²⁶ Vulnerable groups, including women and individuals with disabilities, will benefit from inclusive infrastructure upgrades.²⁷
The 40-million-dollar project, financed by the International Development Association (IDA) and the French Agency for Development,²⁸ is being implemented by the Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport in collaboration with the Société Comorienne des Ports.²⁹ It was disclosed on June 28, 2020, approved on May 20, 2022,³⁰ and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2028.³¹

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

Project Link https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/comoros-interisland-connectivity-project

Endnotes

N.A.

References

Development Projects: Comoros Interisland Connectivity Project – p173114. (n.d.). World Bank. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P173114
Comoros – Interisland Connectivity Project. (n.d.). World Bank. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/comoros-interisland-connectivity-project
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Comoros Interisland Connectivity Project SOP2. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p179109-comoros-interisland-connectivity-project-sop2/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros – Interisland Connectivity Project. (n.d.). World Bank. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/comoros-interisland-connectivity-project
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros – Interisland Connectivity Project. (n.d.). World Bank. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/comoros-interisland-connectivity-project
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros – Interisland Connectivity Project. (n.d.). World Bank. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/comoros-interisland-connectivity-project
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Development Projects: Comoros Interisland Connectivity Project – p173114. (n.d.). World Bank. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P173114
World Bank Maps. (n.d.). World Bank Maps. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://maps.worldbank.org/projects/wb/pid/P173114?status=active
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p173114-comoros-inter-island-connectivity-project/
Comoros Interisland Connectivity Project SOP2. (n.d.). Early Warning System. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org/projects/p179109-comoros-interisland-connectivity-project-sop2/
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf
Union of the Comoros, Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport, & Comoros Inter-Island Connectivity Project (PICMC). (2021). ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099525102212239181/pdf/Environmental00ct00SOP10000P173114.pdf

Comoros Interisland Connectivity Project (PICMC)

Fomboni, Comoros

2020 - Ongoing

Project Description

Project Link, Endnotes and References

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