ECOWAS and AfDB Launch $15bn Lagos-Abidjan Highway Board

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) inaugurated a 10-member board for the $15 billion Lagos–Abidjan highway project, which aims to enhance trade and socio-economic development in West Africa. The formal rollout occurred during a two-day orientation session held on February 19-20, 2026, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, following the board's official swearing-in in December 2025.

The highway will stretch 1,028 kilometers across Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, serving as a backbone for an integrated regional transport and logistics network. ECOWAS Director of Transport, Chri Appiah, emphasized the project's significance beyond road infrastructure, while AfDB Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development, Mike Salaw, reiterated the bank's commitment to supporting the corridor's operationalization.

The project is expected to unlock opportunities for millions of citizens and facilitate trade in the sub-region.