TripoliCape Town Highway

The Tripoli–Cape Town Highway (TAH 3) is part of the transcontinental road network developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank, and the African Union. Stretching 10,808 km, it is the longest route with significant missing links requiring new construction. Initially planned during the Apartheid era without including South Africa, it now extends to Cape Town, though some documents still refer to it as the Tripoli-Windhoek Highway.

The highway traverses Libya, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Republic of the Congo (ROC), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. Paved roads are limited to sections in Libya, Cameroon, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. The northern section across the Sahara is a low priority due to the Trans-Sahara Highway offering an alternative route. Instability in Libya-Chad border regions may delay its development for decades.

The central section between Angola and Cameroon is crucial for connecting West and Southern Africa but faces challenges like remote terrain and potential environmental impact. An alternative route through Gabon is proposed, which is shorter, partially paved, and passes through populated areas, potentially reducing environmental effects while incorporating Gabon into the network.

The southern section from DRC to Cape Town is a key regional road within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It follows well-maintained highways in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, with most sections already paved.