ECOWAS, African Union Deepen Partnership on Infrastructure, Regional Integration

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, has reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to strengthening regional infrastructure and integration following high-level talks with the African Union Commission.

The meeting, held on March 18 in Abuja, brought Touray together with the AU Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Lerato Mataboge, to review ongoing collaboration and accelerate key development projects across West Africa and the continent.

Focus on Transformational Infrastructure

Central to the discussions were major cross-border infrastructure projects expected to reshape trade and mobility in West Africa.

Touray highlighted the 1,028-kilometre Abidjan–Lagos Corridor motorway, a flagship project linking Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria, which accounts for more than 60 per cent of the region’s commercial activity.

He also pointed to the Praia–Dakar–Abidjan multimodal transport corridor, including its maritime component, as another critical initiative aimed at boosting connectivity.

According to him, the successful delivery of these projects will ease the movement of goods and people, reduce transport costs, and significantly enhance economic growth across ECOWAS member states.

Boosting Trade and Integration

Mataboge commended ECOWAS for its progress in road infrastructure development, noting that such investments are vital to accelerating intra-African trade and improving livelihoods.

She stressed the importance of aligning regional efforts with continental frameworks, particularly the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA)—the AU’s flagship initiative supporting long-term infrastructure expansion under Agenda 2063.

Out of the 433 PIDA projects spanning transport, energy, water, and telecommunications, ECOWAS is responsible for coordinating those within West Africa, forming the backbone of its Infrastructure Development Master Plan (2020–2045).

Expanding Collaboration Across Sectors

Both parties emphasised the need to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including transport, energy, digital technology, and transboundary water management.

Mataboge also welcomed ECOWAS’s recent move to cut air transport taxes, charges, and fees by 25 per cent—a policy adopted in October 2025 to make regional air travel more affordable and competitive.

Shared Vision for Growth

The African Union Commission reiterated its commitment to working closely with ECOWAS to deliver transformative projects that drive sustainable development across the continent.

“By working hand in hand, we can accelerate implementation, strengthen regional integration, and foster inclusive growth for our citizens,” Mataboge said.

The meeting underscores growing momentum for coordinated infrastructure development as African institutions push to unlock trade, connectivity, and economic opportunities across regions.