PIDA includes visit to Abidjan-Lagos Corridor

The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week, which has now concluded, included a site visit to the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, where participants could experience the reality of integrating Africa through infrastructure first hand.

The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor is a PIDA flagship project – a 1028 km, six-lane road, still under construction, that will connect Abidjan, Accra, Cotonou, Lagos and Lome. These are considered to be Africa’s largest and most economically developed cities. The road will also link vibrant seaports, thereby serving all the regions landlocked countries and facilitating intra and inter regional trade.

“The corridor is one of the most important developments in the region; it accounts for about 75 percent of trade in the ECOWAS region”, said Edy Anthony, a transport expert with Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organisation (ALCO).

“When you connect one country with another; one region with another, you reduce transport and trade barriers, expanding business opportunities between countries. This leads to growth of local economies and the regions at large,” Anthony emphasised.

According to Chris Appiah, a Transport and Policy expert at the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS), the road is the most travelled corridor in West Africa. “It will ensure a more efficient border crossing system and facilitate regional integration,” he said.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is considering US$16 million support package to finance preparatory studies for sections of the corridor.

Adapted from press release by Rebecca Bowden

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/africa-middle-east/23112015/pida-includes-visit-to-abidjan-lagos-corridor-47/