ECOWAS Moves to Launch Abidjan-Lagos Highway Authority
West African transport ministers have approved steps to operationalize the authority that will oversee a planned 1,028-kilometer highway linking five countries.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Africa
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ECOWAS has approved recruitment of key leaders for the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority, known as ALCoMA, which will coordinate the project. The planned six-lane highway would connect Abidjan and Lagos through Accra, Lomé and Cotonou.
Why it matters
The corridor aims to ease high transport costs, poor road conditions and border delays along one of West Africa's key trade routes. The African Development Bank is seeking about $500 million in catalytic capital to begin construction of the first sections.
The African Development Bank has provided more than $25 million for feasibility and design work, while about $500 million is being sought to start construction. Ministers have not publicly confirmed a construction start date or the full financing package.
The players
ECOWAS
The Economic Community of West African States is a regional bloc of West African countries that promotes economic integration and cooperation among its members.
African Development Bank
The African Development Bank is a multilateral development finance institution that funds infrastructure and economic projects across the African continent.
Wilfried Lauriano do Rego
Wilfried Lauriano do Rego is a Beninese official who chairs the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority.
The details
ECOWAS approved recruitment of ALCoMA's chief executive officer, legal and corporate secretary and key directors, with the authority chaired by Benin's Wilfried Lauriano do Rego. Potential funding sources under discussion include the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund and climate and environmental financing instruments.
Timeline
July 2025: ECOWAS reported feasibility studies were nearing completion.
May 2026: ECOWAS announced completion of feasibility and design studies.
October 28: Potential funding partners met and expressed interest in the project.
October 30: Transport ministers met in Lomé, Togo, to address financing and implementation challenges.
November 3: ECOWAS announced approval to operationalize ALCoMA.
Regional Integration Push
The highway project extends the ECOWAS integration agenda into physical infrastructure across five member countries. West Africa will need to invest about $20 billion annually in infrastructure through 2040 to reach levels comparable to other developing economies.
Travelers crossing between Abidjan, Accra, Lomé, Cotonou and Lagos currently face border delays and poor road conditions that the planned corridor is intended to reduce. The highway is still in the financing and planning stage, so no new route is available for travel yet.
The takeaway
Regional infrastructure projects like this one move slowly from approvals to construction, so the financing decisions still ahead will determine when the corridor reaches travelers. Watching how the remaining funding is secured will show whether the timeline holds.
Further reading
For more on the region, explore Africa travel destinations.
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Should governments in West Africa prioritize building a multinational highway linking five countries?
