Road and Digital Infrastructure Sector Assessment Program for the Dominican Republic

The Infrastructure Sector Assessment Program (InfraSAP) of the World Bank helps identify where investments and policies are lacking in a country’s infrastructure. The goal is to assist governments in finding ways to improve infrastructure performance and create a plan to build strong and sustainable infrastructure with greater private sector participation. These plans are crucial for helping countries build resilient, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure systems that can drive economic growth and improve people’s quality of life.

The World Bank’s Infrastructure Sector Assessment (InfraSAP) for the Dominican Republic presents a series of high-level recommendations as a roadmap, organized into five pillars that cover each sector (transportation and digital development) and cross-cutting themes (governance, funding and financing, and PPPs).

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

A safer infrastructure would save lives in the Dominican Republic

The assessment highlights that investing in safer and better-quality roads could save lives in the Dominican Republic. The country’s routes are essential for development, connecting Santo Domingo with ports, airports, and economic and tourist centers. However, the current state of the roads poses a significant risk, with a road accident mortality rate more than double the regional average. Inadequate maintenance, with potholes, cracks, and poor signage, contributes to 78% of the main corridors’ infrastructure being considered unsafe.

To address these challenges, it is crucial to spend better and invest more in road infrastructure. Improving the maintenance and resilience of the network through performance-based management models, such as Rehabilitation, Operation, and Maintenance (CREMA) contracts, can promote better road conditions and reduce costs. Additionally, encouraging private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships and enhancing road safety and public transportation will contribute to a safer and more efficient road system, boosting the country’s economy and competitiveness.

Digital Development would boost access to basic services in the Dominican Republic

According to the assessment, despite notable economic growth in recent years, inequalities persist in the Dominican Republic, and digitalization is key to closing these gaps. Improving internet access, which currently reaches only 56% of households, is essential for strengthening sectors such as education, health, and tourism. The main challenges include high levels of concentration and barriers to competition, as well as an incomplete regulatory framework. The World Bank, through its InfraSAP assessment, recommends simplifying administrative processes, improving digital infrastructure, collecting, and updating sector information, and developing a regulatory framework for submarine cables. Investing in digital solutions can increase productivity, government efficiency, and improve service delivery.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT