Libya’s Transport Strategy Study to Set Roadmap for Sector Recovery and Modernisation
Libya’s Ministry of Transport, with support from the African Development Bank, is advancing the preparation of a national transport strategy intended to guide the country’s transport policies and investment priorities between 2028 and 2035.
The Terms of Reference for the Libya Strategic Transport Sector Study position the assignment within the country’s broader need for transport sector recovery, modernisation and improved institutional planning. Libya’s geographical position gives it significant potential as a trade and transit hub between Africa and Europe, but years of conflict and instability have weakened transport infrastructure and planning capacity.
The absence of a comprehensive and integrated national transport strategy has been identified as a constraint on economic development, regional integration and the efficient movement of people and goods. The AfDB-supported study is intended to help the Libyan government develop a robust, sustainable and inclusive transport sector that can contribute to economic recovery and long-term development.
The consultancy will support the preparation of a strategic transport sector plan focused on improving efficiency across the sector. It will include a critical review of all modes of transport, an assessment of existing strategy documents, the identification of strategic priorities and the resources required to implement them, and the preparation of short-term and medium-term plans.
The resulting strategy is expected to become the government’s key document for guiding transport policy and investment decisions for the 2028–2035 period. It will also inform future African Development Bank support for transport and logistics interventions in Libya.
Under the scope of work, the consultant will first undertake an inception and diagnostic assessment. This will include a review of national and sectoral policies, strategies, plans and studies related to transport, economic development and regional integration. The consultant will also collect and analyse data on transport infrastructure, traffic volumes, freight movements, passenger flows, operational performance, safety records and environmental impacts.
The diagnostic phase will further assess Libya’s institutional and regulatory framework for transport, identifying strengths, weaknesses, gaps and opportunities for reform. Extensive stakeholder consultations are also required, involving government ministries, public enterprises, private sector operators, civil society organisations and international development partners. A sector-wide SWOT analysis will be prepared as part of this phase.
The second phase will focus on strategy formulation. Based on the diagnostic assessment, the consultant will develop a vision, mission and strategic objectives for Libya’s transport sector. This phase will also include policy and regulatory recommendations, the identification and prioritisation of strategic investment projects across all transport modes, preliminary cost estimates, funding options, institutional responsibilities and a monitoring and evaluation framework.
For the rail sector specifically, the Terms of Reference require the assessment of Libya’s existing railway assets and historical projects, as well as feasibility and strategic analysis of potential passenger and freight rail corridors. The railway component will also consider intermodal integration with ports and road networks, benchmarking against regional and international railway standards, and recommendations on investment programming and phasing.
The study will also assess road transport and urban mobility, maritime transport and ports, aviation and air transport, institutional and legal frameworks, environmental and social considerations, transport economics and potential financing sources. This multimodal approach is intended to ensure that railway development is not considered in isolation, but as part of a wider national logistics, mobility and regional integration strategy.
The final phase will focus on validation and finalisation. Stakeholder workshops will be held to review the draft strategy, gather feedback and build ownership around the proposed direction. The final National Transport Strategy Document must be comprehensive, coherent and ready for official adoption.
The assignment is expected to run for up to 12 months from contract signing.
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