From Francis Nwaze,
Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, on Friday, October 30, 2026, chaired the 23rd Ministerial Steering Committee Meeting of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project in Lomé, Togo, as participating West African countries intensified efforts to advance the landmark regional infrastructure initiative.
The meeting brought together ministers, project stakeholders and development partners to assess progress on the strategic highway project, which is designed to enhance regional connectivity, facilitate cross-border trade, strengthen economic cooperation and promote shared prosperity across West Africa.
Senator Umahi, who chairs the Ministerial Steering Committee, is providing leadership in coordinating discussions and decisions aimed at accelerating the implementation of the project, which is expected to significantly improve the movement of people, goods and services among countries along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.
The ministerial meeting was preceded by the 23rd Technical Meeting of the Committee of Experts, held on October 26 and 27, 2026. The meeting brought together project directors and engineers from participating countries to evaluate progress across various components of the project and examine technical requirements for its successful execution.
Key issues discussed by the experts included the project's right-of-way requirements, the operationalisation of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Management Authority (ALCoMA), and efforts to mobilise investment financing through the African Development Bank (AfDB), which serves as the project's Mandatory Lead Arranger.
The technical team also reviewed complementary projects and interventions being undertaken by development partners to ensure an integrated approach to the development of the corridor.
At the ministerial meeting, participants are expected to consider and adopt the report and recommendations of the Committee of Experts, review outstanding technical and administrative issues, and agree on strategic measures to ensure the timely advancement of the project.
The African Development Bank is also expected to brief the committee on the progress of investment financing mobilisation, providing ministers with an opportunity to assess the funding arrangements and identify further actions required to move the project towards implementation.
Similarly, the Board of Directors of ALCoMA will present reports and recommendations from its first and second meetings for consideration by the Steering Committee. The ministers are expected to deliberate on the submissions and approve relevant resolutions to strengthen institutional coordination and ensure effective project delivery.
The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project is one of West Africa's major regional infrastructure initiatives, designed to improve transportation links and promote economic integration among participating countries.
The project is expected to ease cross-border movement, reduce transportation bottlenecks, facilitate regional commerce and create new economic opportunities across the corridor.
The development also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's infrastructure development agenda, under which the Federal Ministry of Works, led by Senator Umahi, continues to position strategic infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth, regional connectivity and national development.
Francis Nwaze, FIPMD, is the Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media).
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