CAF boosts rural development in Bolivia with an investment of USD 110 million in road infrastructure
July 18, 2024
The 'Mi Puente' program will transform the lives of more than 170,000 Bolivians through the construction of 300 strategic bridges. This initiative will also enhance rural connectivity and boost agricultural production and socioeconomic development with an inclusive approach to gender, empowerment of women leaders and ethnic diversity.
The Board of Directors of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, approved a loan of USD 110 million to finance the National Bridge Program for Development (Mi Puente), led by EMPODERAR, with the objective of promoting integration and connectivity at the local, regional and national levels, and to open new horizons of opportunities for the Bolivian population.
Sergio Diaz-Granados, CAF's executive president, emphasized the transformational potential of this loan: “This program exemplifies how strategic investment in infrastructure can be an engine of change. By strengthening rural connectivity, we are not only building physical bridges, but also bridges to a future of prosperity, facilitating access to markets and essential services, and laying the foundations for sustainable and inclusive economic development in Bolivia”.
Mi Puente' is positioned as an innovative solution that includes climate change adaptation criteria to address the challenge of connectivity in rural areas of Bolivia, where departmental and municipal networks make up 92% of the national road network. This initiative seeks to unlock the productive potential of the area of influence and boost agricultural production, optimizing product marketing and ensuring greater crop efficiency.
The program will finance the construction of 300 bridges, totaling 10,000 meters of new vital infrastructure. The selection of projects will be carried out through a rigorous and transparent process, considering eligibility criteria that include technical, environmental, social, gender and economic evaluations, thus ensuring a comprehensive and sustainable impact.
This program is aligned with the goals of Bolivia's Patriotic Agenda 2025 and will contribute significantly to strengthening food sovereignty and reducing rural inequalities in the country.