Abstract

Road infrastructure is a cornerstone of economic growth and regional connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa, 
facilitating trade, mobility, and access to essential services. However, emerging evidence indicates that road 
construction and maintenance can inadvertently influence malaria transmission by altering ecosystems and creating 
favorable habitats for Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary vectors of the disease. This review synthesizes current 
knowledge on the ecological and epidemiological impacts of transport infrastructure on malaria dynamics, 
highlighting how road-induced environmental changes, such as water accumulation in borrow pits, poor drainage, 
deforestation, and land-use modifications, enhance vector breeding and increase human-vector contact. Additionally, 
improved mobility along transport corridors facilitates parasite dissemination into previously low-transmission 
areas, compounding public health risks. Mitigation strategies, including eco-sensitive road design, integrated vector 
management, environmental impact assessments, community engagement, and intersectoral collaboration, are 
explored. The review identifies critical knowledge gaps, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies, spatial 
modeling, and geospatial surveillance to inform evidence-based planning and policy that balance infrastructure 
development with malaria control.