The east–west highway was the first stage of Algeria's five-year plan, which included spending US$40.9 billion on modernization of road networks and increasing ports' capacity.

On June 18, 1990, the EIB (European Investment Bank) granted the first loan of 40 million euros[8] for the first section between El Affroun and Blida.

The same bank continued to grant loans of up to 210 million euros up until 2002 for several portions of the highway, but there were no direct connections between these sections except for the already existing RN-4.

7 years later, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (FADES) granted a loan of 86 million dollars for the completion of the section, of which only 30% would be used for its implementation.

[10] Between 1996 and 2002, the African Development Bank granted a loan of $161 million for the completion of the Constantine city bypass and the 29 km section[11] between Ain Smara and El Meridj.

The limited international call for tenders, including precise specifications due to the sheer scale of the east–west highway project was launched on July 23, 2005 .