The ECOWAS Commission has concluded the 21st Meeting of the Committee of Technical Experts from the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Member Countries, held from September 16 to 20, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria. This meeting included project directors, engineers, and stakeholders from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
Participants expressed satisfaction and optimism for completing key technical studies by the end of 2024. These studies include Detailed Design, Trade and Transport Facilitation, Spatial Development Initiative, and Road Safety Audit. The committee is chaired by Nigeria and represented by Engr. Ebere Izunobi.
“The Technical Experts meet periodically to ensure the effective implementation of decisions of the project Ministers,” a statement said. The meetings aim to sustain momentum among corridor countries and expedite construction commencement for the supranational highway.
The meeting preceded the 21st Ministerial Steering Committee Meeting on September 21 in Lagos. Recommendations were presented to ministers for decision-making.
Attendees included representatives from ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Transport, ECOWAS Project Preparation & Development Unit, ECOWAS Bank for Investments and Development (EBID), African Development Bank (AfDB), AfCFTA Secretariat, Lekki Concession Company (LCC), African Financial Corporation (AFC), corridor countries’ officials, development partners, and other stakeholders.
The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Project is a 1,028km multinational highway initiated by heads of state from five countries: Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. The project aims to connect these nations economically through enhanced infrastructure. Until operationalization of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority—mandated to construct and manage the highway—the ECOWAS Commission will act as executing agency via its Directorate of Transport.
Technical studies are financed by AfDB along with contributions from ECOWAS Commission and European Union. Corridor countries have also contributed financially to preparatory studies.
