Nigeria, alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and the Benin Republic, has officially launched the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Management Authority.
It is a regional institution established to oversee the development, management and future operation of the proposed $16 billion Abidjan–Lagos Highway project.
The launch marks a significant milestone in West Africa’s drive towards greater economic integration and infrastructure connectivity, as the five participating countries move to accelerate implementation of one of the region’s most ambitious transport projects.
The authority will be responsible for coordinating activities related to the construction and operation of the planned 1,028-kilometre six-lane expressway linking major commercial centres along the West African coast. The highway is expected to become operational by 2030.
Officials said the project is aimed at improving cross-border transportation, reducing logistics costs and facilitating the seamless movement of goods and people across the region.
According to projections, the highway could generate approximately $16 billion in combined trade value for the member countries while also creating an estimated $1.3 billion in toll revenues upon completion.
In addition to the road project, governments within the corridor are exploring plans for the future development of a parallel high-speed rail network to further enhance passenger and freight transportation along the route.
The Abidjan–Lagos Highway forms part of broader regional efforts to improve infrastructure and deepen economic cooperation across West Africa.
The corridor stretches through one of the continent’s most densely populated and economically vibrant regions, connecting key urban and commercial centres from Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire to Lagos in Nigeria.
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