How Nepal became the developing world’s bridge builder
Summary
Nepal has transformed from a recipient of development aid to an exporter of expertise, helping countries like Ethiopia and Tanzania build low-cost trail bridges to overcome rural isolation.
Key Points
- Padam Gurung, once a boy struggling to cross rivers in Nepal, now helps other countries build bridges through the Helvetas-supported TRAC4Change programme.
- Nepali engineers have developed a standardized, low-cost trail bridge system that has helped build over 11,000 bridges across Nepal, improving access to education and healthcare.
- Since 2008, Nepal has exported this trail bridge system to 11 countries, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Guatemala, promoting local capacity building rather than direct construction.
- Ethiopia, supported by Nepal, has built 272 trail bridges and aims to construct 600 more with World Bank financing, demonstrating growing self-reliance in bridge construction.
