In a significant development, ECOWAS has approved the design for the ambitious $15 billion Lagos-Abidjan Highway project during a recent meeting in Lagos State. Chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, the gathering laid the groundwork for initiating the procurement process at their next session, moving the project closer to implementation.
The highway, which aims to deepen regional economic integration, is currently in the study phase, with detailed research, planning, and design still underway. Umahi highlighted the project’s history, noting that it was launched in 2013 with substantial backing from the African Development Bank. The recent discussions focused on finalizing the design as the project approaches a critical juncture.
ECOWAS member states have been collaborating on various aspects of the project, including environmental impact assessments and funding strategies, for over 11 years. Ghana’s Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Boakye, underscored the vital role of infrastructure in driving socio-economic development, citing how improved highways can enhance trade, tourism, and overall economic activity—drawing parallels to the U.S. economic boom.
Set to commence in 2025, the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway is part of the larger Dakar-Lagos Corridor and stands as one of ECOWAS’s flagship development initiatives. Stretching approximately 1,068 kilometers, the project will connect five ECOWAS countries—Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria—traversing eight border towns and fostering greater regional cooperation.
