Umahi Leads ECOWAS Ministers’ Meeting in Togo, Pushes Tinubu’s Regional Infrastructure Agenda
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has chaired the 23rd Ministerial Steering Committee Meeting of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project in Lomé, Togo, as part of efforts to advance regional infrastructure development under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Umahi attended the meeting on Friday, October 30, 2026, in his capacity as Chairman of the Steering Committee, alongside representatives of participating West African countries and development partners.
The meeting focused on reviewing progress on the proposed regional highway project, which is expected to improve transportation links, facilitate cross-border trade, strengthen economic cooperation and promote economic integration among countries along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.
Ahead of the ministerial gathering, the 23rd Technical Meeting of the Committee of Experts was held on October 26 and 27, 2026. The meeting brought together project directors and engineers to assess developments across the various components of the project and identify strategies for accelerating the technical studies required for its implementation.
Key issues discussed included the project’s right-of-way requirements, 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 experts also reviewed complementary initiatives being undertaken by other development partners to support the integrated development of the corridor.
At the ministerial meeting, members of the Steering Committee are expected to consider and adopt the report and recommendations of the Committee of Experts, while addressing outstanding issues and agreeing on measures to accelerate project delivery.
The African Development Bank is also expected to brief the ministers on the progress of investment financing mobilisation and outline further actions required to advance the funding process.
Similarly, the ALCoMA Board of Directors will present reports and recommendations from its first and second board meetings for consideration and possible approval by the Steering Committee.
The discussions are expected to strengthen coordination among participating countries, improve project implementation and sustain momentum towards the delivery of the regional highway.
The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway is a major regional infrastructure initiative designed to connect West African economies, enhance the movement of people and goods, reduce transportation challenges and expand trade opportunities.
The Federal Ministry of Works, under Umahi’s leadership, has continued to pursue infrastructure development as a key component of President Tinubu’s economic growth and regional connectivity agenda.
