The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially approved the design for the ambitious Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway Development Project, valued at $15 billion. This approval came during a pivotal meeting held in Lagos, Nigeria, where the group also announced that the procurement process for the project would begin at its next gathering.
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of the project, noting that it would significantly boost regional economic integration. The highway, currently in its study phase, is undergoing extensive research, planning, and design work to ensure its feasibility and success.
Umahi highlighted the historical context of the Lagos-Abidjan Highway project, stating that it was initially conceived in 2013. Since then, it has received substantial funding and technical support from the African Development Bank, playing a key role in its progress.
The current meeting was crucial for finalizing and approving the design, bringing the project one step closer to realization.
Over the last 11 years, various phases of the project have been undertaken, including environmental impact assessments, the establishment of funding mechanisms, and the agreement among heads of ECOWAS member states on key aspects of the development. With the approval of the design, the project has reached a critical juncture where concrete steps can be taken towards implementation.
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Ghana’s Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Boakye, also contributed to the discussion, emphasizing the essential role infrastructure plays in fostering socio-economic development. He pointed out that well-developed road networks are crucial for facilitating trade, tourism, and other economic activities.
Boakye drew a parallel between the anticipated benefits of the Lagos-Abidjan highway and the economic boom seen in the United States, where an extensive highway system played a significant role in propelling national growth.
The Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway is poised to be a major driver of economic integration within West Africa. As part of the larger Dakar-Lagos Corridor, this highway is one of ECOWAS’s flagship development initiatives.
Spanning approximately 1,068 kilometers, the project will connect five member countries—Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire—and traverse eight border towns. The route begins at Eric Moore in Lagos, Nigeria, and concludes in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Slated to commence in 2025, the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway is expected to transform transportation infrastructure in the region, enhancing connectivity and providing a significant boost to trade and commerce across West Africa.
The African Development Bank is a major financier of the project, reinforcing the importance of this collaborative effort in advancing the region’s development agenda.