The construction of a 1 081km highway linking Nigeria to Côte d’Ivoire will be a game-changer in West Africa.According to a spokesperson for the African Development Bank (Af DB), the Abidjan-Lagos highway is “the most important infrastructure project in West Africa” as it will facilitate free movement and trade in the region and have a significant impact on the economies of at least five West African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.Valued at $15.6 billion and led by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), this transformative public-private partnership project is a critical development and forms part of the African Union’s Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (Pida).The Af DB has called on the countries involved in the project to speed up the process by getting consultants on board to do the necessary feasibility studies – because much is expected from this strategic development. The bank has provided €22.4 million in funding to finance preparatory studies for the implementation and management of the corridor project, while the European Union has pledged to grant €12.63 million.The project suffered serious setbacks as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 but is picking up speed. There is a clear understanding among role-players that West Africa cannot afford to lose any more time.According to Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, president of the Ecowas Commission, the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor is one of the main instruments that will ensure the development of the region and consolidate the economic resilience of West Africa.The highway, which forms part of the Dakar-Abidjan-Lagos cross-border coastline, is expected to have a direct impact on 14 of the 16 West African countries, namely: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.Considering the fact that transport accounts for 5% to 8% of the region’s GDP and the critical role it plays in economic development, it is understandable why the project is so highly regarded. Initial studies by the Af DB indicate that the Abidjan-Lagos axis will cover nearly 75% of West Africa’s commercial activities.The new highway will start at Bingerville, in the eastern suburbs of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, and will continue for 295km to Takoradi in Ghana. From there the highway links to Akanu, also in Ghana, for a distance of 466km. It then carries on for another 320km, linking Noepe in Togo to Cotonou in Benin before finally terminating in Lagos, Nigeria. The highway will have a total of six lanes. Eight border posts will also be built along the corridor.
