An audacious plan to link Africa and Asia could see the construction of the world’s largest suspension bridge, spanning 20 miles over the Red Sea. Estimated to cost an eye-watering $125bn, the project aims to connect Djibouti in East Africa with Yemen in the Middle East.
Dubbed the ‘Bridge of Horns,’ the structure would tower 400 metres above the sea, with a total height of 700 metres. The ambitious design incorporates a six-lane highway capable of handling 100,000 vehicles daily and a rail system for 50,000 passengers. Large ships heading towards the Suez Canal would pass underneath its soaring arches.
Cities of Light on the horizon
In addition to the bridge, the project envisions two brand-new ‘Al-Noor Cities’ on either side, described as ‘Cities of Light.’ These urban hubs are projected to house millions: 2.5 million residents in Yemen and 4.5 million in Djibouti.
Sheikh Tarek Bin Laden, half brother of Osama bin Laden, and the project’s visionary leader, described it as the ‘envy of the world.’ He has plans to replicate this model globally, with proposals for 98 similar cities in countries like Syria, Egypt, and Sudan.
Roadblocks to realisation
While the concept has been in development since 2008, its execution remains uncertain. Governments in Yemen and Djibouti have yet to greenlight the project, and significant logistical challenges loom. Extensive infrastructure upgrades—including highways connecting key cities such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Jeddah, and Dubai—would be required to make the bridge viable.
Despite the hurdles, the Red Sea suspension bridge holds immense potential to transform regional economies, foster connectivity, and redefine trade routes. Whether this bold vision can leap from paper to reality remains to be seen.
Source: Africabriefing
