Transport in Comoros

The three main islands are Ngazidja, also called Grande Comore, Ndzouani or Anjouan, and Mwali or Mohéli. Moroni, Mutsamudu and Fomboni are the principal urban and transport centres. Travel between the islands depends mainly on sea connections, while roads serve most local journeys and domestic flights connect the islands when flights are available. Shared taxis, taxis-brousse, minibuses and other collective taxis operate widely, but services are not organized as one national network. Departures, fares and vehicle conditions can vary, so passengers generally agree the taxi fare before travelling and carry cash in small denominations. There is no reliable nationwide source for current taxi or ferry fares or regular timetables. Comoros has about 815 kilometres of classified roads: approximately 404 kilometres of national roads, 296 kilometres of regional roads, 54 kilometres of urban roads and 61 kilometres of non-classified roads. In 2021, about 49% of the network was assessed as poor or very poor. National roads were generally in better condition, while more than 60% of regional and rural roads were assessed as poor or very poor. Main roads are often paved, but secondary roads may be unpaved or difficult to use. About 240,000 rural residents lack good road access according to the Rural Access Index, which was recorded at 65.3%. The 49.2-kilometre RN2 section was completed in 2024. A 12-kilometre climate-resilient rehabilitation project for the Mtsangadjou–Foumbouni section of RN3 was announced and supported in 2025; its project status should not be treated as proof that the completed works are already operating everywhere. Fuel shortages can occur, so drivers should check supplies before longer journeys. Sea travel is the main inter-island option. The primary ports are Moroni, Mutsamudu and Fomboni, also known as Boingoma. Small traditional fishing boats called kwassa kwassa also carry passengers, and project material reports more than 100,000 passengers a year using informal services. Overloading, missing safety equipment, poor maintenance and changing weather create risks. Use commercially licensed ferries, check that life jackets and reserve capacity are available, and do not travel by sea in bad weather. A secondary-port project planned a 46-seat vessel with one return journey per day and a 24-month construction period; this describes a project plan, not confirmed regular service. An African Development Bank maritime corridor launched in 2025 with financing of USD 137 million, but implementation is still ongoing. Scheduled airfields currently listed for Comoros include Moroni or Prince Said Ibrahim Airport, Anjouan or Ouani Airport, and Mohéli or Bandaressalam Airport. Moroni handles international and domestic traffic and supports IFR and VFR operations; the other two airports are listed for domestic VFR operations. Inter-island flights can save time, but booking and check-in may be unpredictable and fares are reported at roughly two to three times the cost of a sea ferry. This makes air travel strategically useful while limiting its affordability for regular travel. Walking is widespread on main roads, but sidewalks are scarce, kerb ramps are rare or absent, and night-time crash risk is higher. Access for people with reduced mobility is very limited or unavailable in many places. No reliable evidence establishes a formal nationwide cycling infrastructure, bike-sharing system or separate cycling authority, and cycling is not documented as a distinct transport system. Comoros has no railway network; roads, sea travel and air travel provide the functional alternatives. Drivers and passengers should use seat belts in the front seats. U.S. travel guidance recommends a maximum speed of 30 mph, approximately 48 km/h. Road signs are uncommon and enforcement is weak, while speeding is reported frequently. International driving-permit requirements should be confirmed locally before driving; UK guidance states that a UK photocard licence may be accepted for up to three months, but this does not establish a universal rule for every licence. In an accident, contact the Police or Gendarmerie on 17. Avoid night driving where possible, and taxis or vehicles with a driver are generally the safer practical choice. The Ministry of Maritime and Air Transport leads public-sector transport policy and projects. ANAM handles maritime affairs, the Société Comorienne des Ports manages port operations, and ANACM supervises civil aviation and meteorology. ASECNA provides air-navigation services, while the Police and Gendarmerie enforce road rules and respond to accidents. The National Maritime and Civil Road Safety Commission, NMCRS, works on transport safety but has limited capacity and funding. Cyclones, intense rainfall, flooding, landslides, rockfalls, coastal erosion and sea-level rise can interrupt journeys. Cyclone Kenneth damaged about 90 kilometres of roads in 2019. Port construction and use can increase sediment and turbidity, harm coral reefs and mangroves, create hydrocarbon or wastewater pollution, and increase the risk of ship collisions with wildlife, including in waters affecting Coelacanth National Park. Climate-resilient road and port investment is therefore a recurring public priority. A green levy has been recommended in environmental assessments, but no confirmed implementation should be assumed.