West African highway will revive Ecowas or ruin it forever

In December 2024, West African leaders met in Abuja, Nigeria to discuss the recent departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the ECOWAS bloc amid challenges to cohesion and governance. To counter these challenges, ECOWAS is focusing on an ambitious $15.6 billion superhighway project that will connect Ivory Coast to Nigeria. Scheduled to commence in 2026, construction is expected to create approximately 70,000 jobs, with completion targeted for 2030. The highway aims to enhance trade and travel by modernizing border crossings and boosting regional competitiveness. The highway project is seen as a strategic response to military coups and heightened nationalism in the region, which have undermined the stability and political integration that ECOWAS has historically promoted. The defection of the three countries raises significant concerns for ECOWAS, prompting discussions about strengthening governance and democracy rules within the bloc. With deep economic ties between the coastal and Sahelian states, the hope is that successful flagship projects like the transport corridor will entice these countries to reconsider their withdrawal from ECOWAS. As part of its broader strategy to reinforce unity, ECOWAS led preparations for studies commissioned by the African Development Bank, which are crucial for laying the groundwork for the proposed superhighway. This initiative draws parallels with Europe’s economic integration efforts, aiming to generate mutual benefit and enhance political ties through improved trade and cooperation. New trade opportunities are anticipated, particularly in key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, reflecting a need for infrastructural upgrades that meet modern demands. Leaders are optimistic that the superhighway will rejuvenate regional growth prospects, leveraging the established economic interdependencies among member states. Coastal countries stand to gain from the additional efficient import of agricultural products like onions and potatoes from Niger, while also benefiting from manufactured goods moving across borders. Initiatives that strengthen transportation networks are expected to have wider implications for economic governance, democracy, and transparency in the region, crucial for maintaining regional stability in the face of recent political upheaval.