Five Bridges Project: Resettlement Planning and Implementation in Conakry
Conakry, Guinea
Synergy supported a landmark public infrastructure project in Conakry, Guinea, delivering one of the first state-led resettlement processes in the country to be completed without security force intervention. The project, developed with Invest International and the Guinean Ministry of Public Works, took place in a complex urban environment where involuntary resettlement has historically been associated with heightened social risk and conflict.
As technical and implementation partner, Synergy led the development of a resettlement policy framework applicable across five bridge sites, alongside site-specific resettlement action plans aligned with World Bank OP 4.12 standards. This was complemented by targeted capacity building for Ministry teams, strengthening institutional capability to manage resettlement processes responsibly.
Beyond design, Synergy worked closely with the Ministry’s project management unit to support implementation, including formalising compensation agreements, overseeing payments, establishing grievance tracking systems, and providing ongoing support to affected people. This hands-on approach enabled effective delivery in a dynamic and challenging context, while maintaining oversight of risks and progress for the project financier.
The project resulted in the successful resettlement of several hundred individuals in a dense urban setting, without forced evictions and in line with international standards. This represents a significant precedent in the Guinean context, demonstrating that complex, state-led resettlement can be delivered responsibly and effectively, even in fragile governance environments.