African Development Bank partners with Japanese firms to deploy climate-resilient PET asphalt technology in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Shimizu Corporation, Kao Corporation, and The Nippon Road Co Ltd to promote the deployment of innovative, climate-resilient road maintenance solutions across Africa.

The agreement was formalized on 21 August 2025, on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, with AfDB Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, Solomon Quaynor, and executives from the Japanese consortium in attendance.

Advancing climate-resilient infrastructure with PET Asphalt Concrete

The LoI establishes a framework for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and co-financing opportunities to scale sustainable road maintenance solutions across African countries.

The consortium’s PET Asphalt Concrete technology, a reinforced asphalt mixture incorporating recycled PET plastic bottles, was selected in June 2025 through a competitive call under the Bank’s Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa (SRMPA). The technology not only supports circular economy principles but also enhances the sustainability and resilience of Africa’s road infrastructure.

Under the partnership:

• African Development Bank will coordinate with governments, lead awareness campaigns, support capacity building, and explore financing options for large-scale deployment.

• Shimizu, Kao, and Nippon Road will conduct demand and feasibility studies, test the PET Asphalt Concrete in different African contexts, and assess investment opportunities for scaling up.

“The Sustainable Road Maintenance Program for Africa (SRMPA) is an innovative initiative by the Bank aiming at offering climate-resilient solutions to protect infrastructure investments from the impacts of climate change,” said Solomon Quaynor. “Partnering with Shimizu, Kao, and Nippon Road will enable Africa to benefit from cutting-edge circular economy technology while addressing the growing backlog of road maintenance needs.”

Early testing and collaboration with local partners

Kazuya Osako, Managing Officer and Director of the International Civil Engineering Division at Shimizu Corporation, highlighted the importance of collaboration with local companies and partners to successfully introduce PET Asphalt Concrete in Africa.

Shimizu has already begun testing the technology in Kenya since May 2025, marking the first steps toward wider adoption on the continent.

“We believe that working closely with local stakeholders is key to deploying this technology effectively and sustainably,” Osako added.