The realization of the vision to construct a homogeneous 6-lane dual carriage highway from Abidjan to Lagos, incorporating economic and social development components, achieved a significant milestone with the conclusion of a 4-day technical workshop. This workshop, which included road engineers from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo, aimed to finalize the Detailed Technical Design Study of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Project. The event concluded on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, with a comprehensive review of technical designs and drawings.
The primary objective of this session was to present the final versions of the technical design studies for review by project directors and engineers from the involved countries. The validation workshop report and approvals will be presented at the upcoming 21st meeting of the Ministerial Steering Committee scheduled for September 16-21, 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Over four days, national experts from member countries received presentations covering various technical aspects. These included detailed technical design studies and responses to ECOWAS & Member State comments (topographic, geotechnical, hydrological, geometric), environmental and social impact studies (climate change assessments, environmental management programs), and smart corridor operations (toll systems architecture and operation). Experts also reviewed climate hazard identification reports from consultants at the Global Center for Adaptation. This study is supported by ECOWAS in collaboration with the African Development Bank to attract green financing for highway construction.
Following these presentations and subsequent discussions on respective design reports, experts issued recommendations aimed at expediting the completion of Detailed Design Study Reports.
This stage represents the third phase encompassing feasibility studies; environmental and social assessments; preliminary design; detailed design; and draft tender documents for constructing the Abidjan-Lagos corridor. The fourth phase involves financial strategy formulation and implementation planning which will be completed alongside detailed designs. By mid-December 2024, ECOWAS Commission along with Corridor Member States will receive final design reports including financial strategies and related documents.
Subsequently, ECOWAS Commission plans several investor roundtables and roadshows to secure over $12 billion in capital investment needed for constructing this over 1000km supranational highway.
It is noteworthy that developing this corridor aligns with ECOWAS’ Vision 2050 as well as individual strategies of five concerned Member States aiming to promote efficient infrastructure for trade and sustainable development.
ECOWAS Commission serves as the implementing agency coordinating design procurement construction operation of this six-lane supranational highway connecting Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) through Ghana Togo Benin culminating in Lagos (Nigeria). The highway will operate under unified management by soon-to-be-established Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority.
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