Abidjan-Lagos Corridor highway to require $6.8 billion in private sector investment, AfDB reveals 

This investment need was disclosed in a report presented by the consultancy firm behind the Spatial Development Initiative during an online workshop organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and project partners last Thursday.

The disclosure was contained in a statement published on the AfDB’s website on Tuesday, which provided the details of the workshop the bank held with the project partners of the transnational coastal road.

The report identified 206 specific interventions requiring private sector contributions. These interventions focus on transformative investments in critical sectors such as energy, renewable energy, manufacturing, transport and logistics, agriculture, ICT, tourism, mining, and special economic zones, positioning the corridor as a hub for economic growth and industrialization.

“In a report presented by the consultancy firm responsible for devising the Spatial Development Initiative, 206 specific interventions were identified that could initially require primarily private sector funding investments of around $6.8 billion. The spheres targeted for transformative investment include energy, renewable energy, manufacturing, transport and logistics, agriculture and agri-industry, ICT, tourism, mining, and special economic zones,” the statement read in part.

Spanning 1,028 kilometers, the transnational coastal motorway is set to connect Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria while traversing Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The highway, designed to link key urban centers and enhance regional transportation, is scheduled to commence construction in 2026 and is expected to be completed by 2030.

The statement highlighted that the African Development Bank (AfDB) has already facilitated feasibility studies, explored financing options, and established the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority to ensure the project’s progress.

The statement provided detailed insights into the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway, highlighting its design as a toll-free road with four to six lanes, expanding to eight lanes in Lagos, and featuring 63 interchanges along its route.

Lydie Ehouman, Chief Transport Economist and Project Manager at the AfDB noted that the highway will connect key urban hubs such as Abidjan, Takoradi, Accra, Lomé, Cotonou, Porto-Novo, and Lagos while integrating inland nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger into the region’s economic framework.

She further pointed out that the corridor is expected to support an urban population projected to reach 173 million by 2050, enhancing trade, connectivity, and industrial growth across West Africa.