The African Development Bank (AfDB) has stated that the $430 million highway connecting the South East region of Nigeria from Enugu to Bamenda, in Cameroon will be finished before the end of the year.
This was disclosed by the Bank’s President, Akinwunmi Adesina at the 59th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Ghana, citing that the project was part of its $16 billion worth of projects in West Africa alone.
He added that the Enugu-Cameroon highway would improve trade in West Africa, as it is also currently rounding up feasibility studies for an Abidjan-Lagos corridor by the end of 2021.
“We expect construction for the corridor to commence within 24 months,’’ Adesina said.
The AfDB chief spoke on other critical infrastructure projects that have facilitated trade in West Africa.
“The Senegambia Bridge is rapidly facilitating trade between Senegal and The Gambia.
“Our financing helped to double the capacity of the Lome container port in Togo, which is critical for regional transport and logistics.
“The Bamako to San Pedro corridor has helped to expand trade between Côte d’Ivoire and Mali by 34 per cent, while reducing transit time at the border from 24 hours to just two hours.
“The 303km road linking Ouagadougou and Lome has reduced travel time from six days to just two days.
“Our 650 million dollars financing for the transport corridors linking Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia will impact on economic opportunities for 51 million people,” he said.
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Recall Nairametrics reported last month that WTO boss, Dr Okonjo-Iweala stated that for Africa to make the African Continental Free Trade Area work, the focus needs to be on logistics and simplifying movements of goods and services across the continent.
What happened to the old ones we had, are they in good condition? Please take care of the ones you have first before building another one
Which one are you talking about please
Seriously, Alex? Which old ones are you talking about? I hope you are not referring to the footpaths we have/had – in the dry season, dust and lots of dust. In the rainy season, mud and lots of mud, pot holes….my brother, let me ask again, “which old ones are you talking about?”
It is a well come development!! Ride on.
Fantastic, fabulous and welcome development…Inter- connectivity of economies will definitely herald immense socio-economic development in the continent
Fantastic, fabulous etc now, but when it was kano – niger is a waste. Nigerians are too selfish and self centered.
Nigeria did not borrow money from China to do these ones. It is done by AfDB since two nations are involved.
How does it matter where d money comes from
I thought the road project is to be funded by AFDB and not either of the countries unlike Kano to Niger or so.
??
How is Enugu connected to Cameroon?
Please let the do southwest n coutonu
Southerners see Enugu-Cameroon highway as good for the economy but Kano-Niger one as a waste. When is the South going to stop being blindly sectional and see Nigeria as one Nation?
Higher higher Africa
This is heart warming news. At least free trade between Cameroon and south eastern part of Nigeria will aid economic activities especially at a time when some disgruntled elements are threatening the non supply of onions to the South east. Alternative means provided by the AFDB.
This is a very good development. Creating the infrastructural linkages is the key to achieving trade linkages. This should have been deliberately pursued ever since most of our countries got independence from Colonialists.
The question should be; who is paying for the Cameroonian section of the road? Is Nigeria paying for the Cameroonian section of the road? The answer is a capital No! Do not liken this project to the one Minister Amaechi told Nigerians he had to beg Niger to construct a railroad into Maradi! A project Nigeria is paying for in its entirety!!
We want to see more projects like this, earnestly waiting for it’s completion. God bless Nigeria