The African Development Bank Group, together with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has concluded a joint multi-country mission aimed at mobilising financing for the Abidjan–Lagos Highway. The project is a major regional infrastructure initiative designed to connect Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria through a 1,028-km transport corridor that is expected to strengthen trade, mobility, and regional integration across West Africa.
The mission took place from 9 to 24 April and focused on securing financial commitments for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the highway. The delegation included senior representatives from the African Development Bank Group, ECOWAS institutions, regional development banks, and private sector partners, reflecting a broad coalition supporting the project’s implementation.
During the mission, the team held discussions with ministers responsible for infrastructure, transport, and public works from all five participating countries, as well as senior officials from finance ministries and regional financial institutions. These engagements focused on advancing project coordination, financing structures, and alignment across national governments.
Technical discussions also addressed the highway’s design and strategies to reduce environmental and social impacts. The project is being positioned as a climate-conscious infrastructure development that balances economic growth with sustainability considerations.
The African Development Bank emphasized that the project aligns with its strategic priorities, particularly improving access to capital and promoting climate-resilient infrastructure. ECOWAS representatives highlighted the urgency of securing financing, including support for land acquisition and viability gap funding, noting that delays could limit the project’s economic impact.
The Abidjan–Lagos corridor is expected to become a key economic artery in West Africa, enhancing connectivity along one of the continent’s busiest trade routes. It is also seen as an important enabler of the African Continental Free Trade Area by improving cross-border movement of goods and services.
The African Development Bank has already provided funding for preparatory work, including technical studies, and the project has now entered its investment phase. It will involve the development of a six-lane transnational motorway supported by a unified management structure.
Under a treaty signed by the participating countries, a supranational authority has been established to oversee the corridor’s development and operations. This framework is intended to ensure coordinated implementation and create a seamless, integrated transport and economic corridor across the region.
