ECOWAS Ministers Meet Over Financing Of Lagos-Abidjan Highway

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ministerial Steering Committee yesterday met in Lomé, Togo, to review the Lagos-Abidjan project right-of-way and its progress in mobilising investment financing by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project’s Mandatory Lead Arranger (MLA).

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, chaired the 23rd Ministerial Steering Committee Meeting of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project which held in Lomé, Togo on Friday.

A statement by the special assistant on media to the minister, Mr Francis Nwaze said the meeting brought together key stakeholders from participating countries and development partners to review progress on one of West Africa’s most significant regional infrastructure projects, aimed at improving connectivity, facilitating trade, strengthening economic cooperation and promoting shared prosperity across the region.

He said the 23rd technical meeting of the committee of experts, comprising the project directors and engineers, was held on October 26 and 27, 2026.

According to him, Sen Umahi is providing leadership at a critical stage of the project, which is expected to strengthen transportation links among countries along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor and improve the movement of people, goods and services across national borders.

He said the experts reviewed progress across all project components and discussed strategies for advancing the technical studies required for the successful delivery of the highway.

“Their deliberations also covered the project’s right-of-way, a critical requirement for construction activities; the continued operationalisation of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority (ALCoMA); and progress in mobilising investment financing by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project’s Mandatory Lead Arranger (MLA),” he said.

He stated further that the experts further assessed complementary projects and activities being undertaken by other development partners to support the integrated development of the corridor.

The statement said the Steering Committee is expected to receive, consider and adopt the report and recommendations of the 23rd Technical Meeting of the Committee of Experts.

It added that the Steering Committee also deliberated on the presentation, provided feedback on the progress made and the actions required to advance the financing process.

Relatedly, the ALCoMA Board of Directors will present the reports and recommendations of its first and second Board meetings for consideration by the Steering Committee.

He reiterated that the Federal Ministry of Works, led by Senator Umahi, will continue to pursue infrastructure development as a strategic tool for unlocking economic opportunities and improving connectivity.