Rural Connectivity in Developing Nations: Lessons From the Field
Rural access is fundamental to economic opportunity and social inclusion, yet it remains one of the most overlooked aspects of transport infrastructure. Globally, nearly one billion people still lack reliable all-season road access, limiting their ability to reach markets, schools, and healthcare. The result is predictable: rapid deterioration, seasonal isolation, high transport costs, and increased vulnerability to climate shocks. However, policy and funding discussions are slowly beginning to shift towards emphasizing rural access as an important development priority.
This webinar offers a valuable opportunity to learn from field-based experiences and gain practical strategies to improve rural connectivity. Participants will hear from professionals in both the private and non-profit sectors who are actively working to improve rural connectivity for the more than three billion people living in rural areas worldwide. Through case studies from East Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, speakers will highlight the importance of fit-for-purpose technologies, data-driven decision-making, and innovative policy frameworks in enhancing rural access and improving quality of life.
Join us to engage with industry experts, ask your questions, and strengthen your approach to delivering sustainable rural access solutions.
Learning Outcomes for the Audience
- Understand the critical role of rural access in improving livelihoods, service delivery, and economic inclusion of the last mile
- Appreciate the value of actionable, community-level data in prioritizing infrastructure investments for maximum impact
- Recognize a range of fit-for-purpose rural access solutions, ranging from roads to trail and stone arch bridges
- Learn practical lessons from East Africa and Asia Pacific on implementing climate-resilient and scalable rural access interventions.
- Gain insight into how partnerships with governments and local communities can support sustainable, long-term rural access improvements.
About the Speakers
Alex Campbell, Senior Transport Specialist – Introduction & Moderator
Alex Campbell has over two decades of international experience across Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific. Alex has led multidisciplinary teams in the planning, design, and delivery of strategic road, bridge, and transport corridor projects in some of the world’s most challenging environments. His expertise spans geotechnical and pavement engineering, drainage and flood resilience design, and the application of advanced data analytics and remote sensing to optimize infrastructure performance under changing climate conditions. Throughout his career, Alex has been instrumental in implementing practical, cost-effective solutions tailored to the realities of developing regions. He has worked extensively with government ministries, multilateral agencies, and private contractors to design and implement infrastructure that balances engineering excellence with socio-economic sustainability.
Zeevik Halber, AnyWay Solutions CEO – Case Study: The long-term impact of climate resilient roads, connecting rural areas in Papua New Guinea
Zeevik Halber was appointed CEO of AnyWay Solid Environmental Solutions in 2004 and, since then, has led the company’s development from a regional business into a multinational enterprise and world expert on Climate Resiliency for Transport Infrastructure. Zeevik is the senior executive responsible for managing the AnyWay group of companies and the General Manager of several AnyWay companies across various countries. Through long-term involvement at the management level of the Metrontario Group of Companies, Zeevik has gained multinational, multidisciplinary experience in managing large-scale businesses. Experienced in government relations at the highest levels and in the operation and growth of a wide variety of businesses at every stage of development.
Edgar Mussajjawaza – Fika Uganda Program Manager – Case Study: From trail bridge construction to an integrated approach to rural access
Edgar Mussajjawaza is a Building Economist and certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 13 years of experience in infrastructure development, construction supervision, and program management across East Africa. He holds a Master of Science in Construction Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management from Makerere University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Building Economics from Kyambogo University. Currently serving as the Uganda Program Manager at Fika (formerly Bridges to Prosperity), Edgar leads the delivery of rural infrastructure initiatives that improve access for underserved communities by constructing climate-resilient pedestrian bridges. His work focuses on advancing data-driven and remote access assessment tools that inform government prioritization policies and guide high-impact infrastructure investments.