The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reassured the public that funding will not delay the much-anticipated construction of the Abidjan-Lagos Highway corridor.
The announcement came during the 21st steering committee meeting of the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway Improvement Project held in Lagos, Nigeria.
David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works and the Chairman of the steering committee, shared this update, highlighting the significance of the project to the economic development of West Africa.
The Abidjan-Lagos highway, spanning 1,028 kilometers, was first proposed in 2013.
The project, designed to improve road connectivity between five West African countries—Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte D’Ivoire—has experienced delays for various reasons, including a three-year pause caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Umahi assured that the project is now on track and emphasized that financing will not hinder the construction scheduled to begin in 2025.
“Because they [the financing partners] have shown strong interest and commitment towards the realization of this project, we will not have problems with funding today, and we will be able to set a timeline for the project,” Umahi stated during the meeting.
He noted that various financing partners, particularly the African Development Bank (AfDB), have expressed readiness to ensure the project’s success. Other major international agencies are also contributing to the funding and technical assistance required for this vital infrastructure.
The Lagos-Abidjan Highway is seen as a critical infrastructure project that will enhance interregional trade and improve the socioeconomic development of West African nations.
The highway will connect the capitals and major cities of Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, facilitating trade, tourism, and social interactions across borders.
Umahi stressed the importance of the highway for both Nigeria and the other ECOWAS countries involved.
“This project is very important to both member countries and Nigeria. It will have a major impact on transportation, trade, and economic development,” he said.
The minister also highlighted four major legacy projects in Nigeria, covering a total distance of 2,800 kilometers. These projects include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which will have two carriageways with three lanes each and will be equipped with toll stations and CCTV cameras along the entire stretch.
The other three legacy projects include the 477-kilometer Calabar-Abuja road, the 489-kilometer Abuja-Akwanga road, and the 2,800-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry road, which intersects with the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
A key point of discussion during the steering committee meeting was the appointment of a coordinating agency to oversee the Abidjan-Lagos Highway project.
In the past, disagreements over which agency would manage the project delayed its progress. However, Umahi revealed that an agreement had been reached during the ministerial steering committee meeting attended by ministers from all five member states.
The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority (ALCOMA) was appointed to manage the project. This agreement is expected to resolve coordination issues and move the project forward more smoothly.
The heads of state from the five countries involved—Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Côte D’Ivoire—met to finalize various aspects of the highway’s design, conceptualization, and financing.
A consensus was reached regarding the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and other technical requirements needed before construction begins.
Umahi assured that technical experts would finalize the design and procurement strategy in the coming months.
“We will hear from the expert committee before finalizing the design and establishing the procurement objective—possibly at our next meeting. After today’s meeting, we will release a press release outlining our agreements,” Umahi said.
One of the key advocates of the highway project, Ghana’s Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, underscored the transformative impact the Abidjan-Lagos Highway will have on the region’s economy.
Asenso-Boakye emphasized that road infrastructure is a critical driver of economic growth and development, comparing the project to the interstate highway system in the United States, which helped spark economic growth.
“Because they can connect individual states with roadways, nations like the United States were able to initiate their economic boom,” Asenso-Boakye said.
He pointed out that West Africa is striving to replicate this model, with the Abidjan-Lagos Highway serving as a catalyst for faster economic development.
“This project will accelerate socioeconomic growth among the connecting countries when it is realized,” he added.
The highway is expected to ease the movement of goods and people, reduce transportation costs, and boost regional trade among the ECOWAS member states.
