Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have underscored the need for concerted efforts to develop the Abidjan-Lagos Highway corridor project to facilitate trade in the sub-region.

The highway project is expected to cover about 1,028 kilometres and is envisioned as a transformative regional infrastructure linking five West African economies and serving as a key industrial and trade driver by 2030.

The AfDB has played a catalytic role in the project’s preparation, providing technical assistance and $25 million in early-stage support as feasibility and structuring activities near completion.

Leading the call at the induction of the 10-member Board of Directors of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority (ALCoMA), Director of Transport, Chris Appiah, emphasised the importance of the integrated economic corridor model that combines infrastructure development with trade facilitation and socio-economic advancement.

Appiah urged stakeholders “to spare no effort to make this project a reality in the near future,” noting that a seamless cross-border highway would accelerate the region’s development.

The Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at the African Development Bank Group, Mike Salawou, commended ECOWAS and participating countries for operationalising the authority and reaffirmed the bank’s role as mandated lead arranger.

Salawou said the bank would work alongside the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) and other partners to mobilise finance for the project.

He said: “Our fellow citizens are waiting for us to move along this corridor, to carry out their socio-economic activities and facilitate trade in our sub-region.”

The forum served as an opportunity for participants and board members to examine the institutional and legal framework governing the corridor project, including the treaty, intergovernmental agreements, and draft international instruments establishing both the highway and its management authority.