Connect PNG Program: A Vision for Transforming Papua New Guinea's Infrastructure

Extracts from the speech given by Gibson Holemba - Acting Secretary, Department of Works and Highways at the 2024 Papua New Guinea Investment Week held in Sydney, Australia

During the 2024 Papua New Guinea Investment Week held in Sydney, Australia, Gibson Holemba, the Acting Secretary of the Department of Works and Highways, presented a detailed overview of the government's Connect PNG program—a bold, long-term initiative aimed at transforming the nation’s road infrastructure and creating new economic opportunities across the country.

Holemba highlighted the government’s commitment to a 20-year plan for improving and expanding the national road network, with a special focus on connecting critical economic corridors. This initiative is designed to enhance infrastructure, promote investment, and facilitate better access to vital resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, while also improving connections to ports and airports.

Addressing Road Network Challenges

Papua New Guinea currently has a road network spanning over 16,000 kilometers, including 9,000 kilometers of national highways. However, much of the road infrastructure remains in poor condition, and many critical sections are in need of urgent maintenance and development. The Connect PNG program is not only focused on road construction but also on improving existing infrastructure to support economic growth in key sectors, such as agriculture, mining, and petroleum.

Holemba explained that the Connect PNG initiative is a multimodal, multisectoral program that goes beyond just road networks to include key infrastructure like bridges and critical transport routes. He emphasized the importance of opening new corridors to support future economic activity, stating that the government is committed to building and maintaining roads that will create access to resource-rich areas and encourage foreign investments.

Economic Growth Corridors and Key Investments

The government has identified 13 major economic growth corridors within the Connect PNG program. These corridors will connect the country’s key economic regions, with a focus on areas with high potential for investment, such as the Highlands and coastal areas. Holemba detailed the construction of new highways, the improvement of existing routes, and the replacement of key bridges—efforts that are already well underway.

With an investment of over 4 billion Kina so far, the program aims to spend an additional 16 billion Kina over the next 20 years. Through these investments, the government is working to ensure that all 21 provinces and districts will benefit from the expanded infrastructure, which will facilitate trade, improve access to markets, and attract investors from various sectors.

Promoting Sustainable Investment

One of the primary goals of Connect PNG is to create an enabling environment for investors. By building infrastructure that connects resource-rich areas with major markets, the program will support various industries, including agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as well as the oil and gas sectors.

Holemba emphasized that the government is working closely with local and provincial governments to ensure that economic development reaches all corners of the country, not just the capital, Port Moresby. With this vision, the program is expected to open up opportunities for sustainable growth in remote areas, providing both domestic and foreign investors with the confidence to invest in Papua New Guinea’s future.

Key Achievements and Future Commitments

Since its launch, the Connect PNG program has made significant progress. Some notable achievements include the construction of over 2,900 kilometers of roads, 400 kilometers of subnational links, and the completion of several key bridges. The government is also targeting the completion of vital infrastructure by next year, such as the missing link between the Southern Corridor and Port Moresby to Milne Bay.

Looking ahead, the Connect PNG program will be implemented in phases, with the first phase running from 2021 to 2027, followed by Phase 2 (2028-2034) and Phase 3 (2035-2040). By the end of next year, the government has committed to completing key sections of the Highlands Highway, which will further enhance connectivity across the country.

A Call to Action for Investors

Holemba concluded his speech by calling on both local and international investors to support the government’s infrastructure agenda. He invited developers to visit Papua New Guinea and explore opportunities in key sectors that would benefit from the improved road network. With strong government backing and an ambitious plan in place, Papua New Guinea is well-positioned to become a hub for investment in the Pacific region.

For more details on the Connect PNG program and the ongoing progress, you can view the full presentation by Gibson Holemba here: Watch the video.