Only security expenditure absorbs more aid money than road building in Afghanistan. This is largely due to the high priority given to the reconstruction of the road system as a catalyst for economic growth, security improvements and regional integration. Pressure to achieve quick results, especially for the most symbolic roads, has led to the tolerance of wasteful, low quality road constructions programmes.

Two such symbolic routes – Kabul-Kandahar and the Kabul airport road -- are flagships for post-Taliban era reconstruction. But a case study of these projects reveal their perceived importance boosted the amount of money made available for them, as well as creating potential to squander assistance. The private companies contracted were thus in a position to carry out work on a very lucrative basis, with the real costs buried within a web of sub-contractors and other intermediaries. Bidding processes, where they occurred, only appeared superficially to be competitive.

Weak procedural constraints were set up by donors to control these and other risks. Those implementing the work gained more plaudits if the work was done quickly, regardless of quality or cost effectiveness. The need to provide security to enable road builders to operate safely added significant extra costs.

The outcome has been the construction of roads that may not survive long. Effective mechanisms are badly needed to ensure roads are, at least, maintained intact after being handed over to the government.