Develop a modern highway corridor connecting five West African countries to enhance regional connectivity and reduce transit times; facilitate cross-border trade through improved infrastructure and border crossing procedures; reduce transportation costs along the corridor by at least 25% to enhance competitiveness; improve road safety through modern design standards and traffic management systems; enhance regional integration in support of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation; stimulate economic development along the corridor through improved accessibility; generate employment opportunities during construction and operation phases; and strengthen institutional capacity for regional infrastructure management.

Description

Development of a transnational six-lane dual-carriage highway spanning 1,080 km from Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) to Lagos (Nigeria), passing through Ghana, Togo, and Benin. This transformative infrastructure project will upgrade and standardize the busiest economic corridor in West Africa, connecting major economic centers and port cities. The highway will feature modern design standards with dedicated freight lanes, intelligent transportation systems, service areas, and border crossing facilities to enhance regional mobility, reduce transit times, and facilitate cross-border trade.

History

In September 2023, a groundbreaking roundtable under the auspices of the African Development Bank brought together over 30 major development finance institutions, including the European Investment Bank, British International Investment, the World Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank. The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development is also playing a crucial role in mobilizing resources for the project.