Nigeria and the ECOWAS Parliament have renewed their commitment to fast-track the Abidjan-Lagos highway project, an ambitious infrastructure initiative poised to boost trade, generate employment, and uplift millions across West Africa.
The 1,028-kilometre coastal highway, which will span five countries, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, is scheduled to begin construction in 2026 and reach completion by 2030. Once operational, the project is expected to drive significant economic and industrial activity, linking an estimated 170 million people by 2050 and improving both regional integration and rural-urban connectivity.
The renewed collaboration was highlighted on Friday during a visit by the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in Abuja. Ibrahima, accompanied by Fourth Deputy Speaker Billay Tunkara and Secretary General Bertin Some, emphasized that the Parliament was seeking Nigeria’s bilateral support not just for the highway project, but for other ECOWAS-led initiatives aimed at benefiting citizens throughout the region.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ibrahima reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment to fostering deeper cooperation among member states to bring ECOWAS projects closer to the people.
Ambassador Tuggar described the ECOWAS Parliament as a vital institution reflecting the democratic will of West African citizens. He hailed the Abidjan-Lagos corridor as a transformative project that would enhance economic development, reinforce constitutional governance, and respond to the region’s rapid population growth.
“The ECOWAS Parliament reinforces the representation of the citizens of the member states,” said Tuggar. “It shows commitment towards constitutional governance and representation because West Africa is one of the fastest growing parts of the world in terms of demography, so we need to pay close attention to that.”
The discussions also touched on broader regional priorities, including strengthening education, technology, innovation, and youth empowerment through development programmes designed to unlock the region’s potential.
Additionally, the two parties reviewed progress on the Regional Partnership for Democracy, an initiative launched with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which encourages all ECOWAS member states to adopt democratic reforms tailored to regional realities.
Ambassador Tuggar praised the ECOWAS Parliament as a crucial arm of the regional bloc, adding that its role in shaping democratic and developmental policy cannot be overstated.
What You Should Know
The Abidjan-Lagos Highway project is set to become a major catalyst for economic growth in West Africa, connecting five countries and facilitating trade, mobility, and regional integration.
With construction beginning in 2026, the project underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to long-term development, regional stability, and inclusive governance.
