Lomé, Togo – June 30, 2024 – Representatives from development partner organizations recently visited the construction site of the Lomé-Cotonou road upgrade project in Togo. The €181.4 million initiative, nearing completion, aims to significantly improve regional integration and economic development across West Africa.
The project, funded by a consortium including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union, and several other institutions, focuses on upgrading a 30-kilometer stretch of the road between Avépozo and Aného to a two-lane highway. This critical infrastructure improvement is part of the larger Abidjan-Lagos Corridor initiative.
Beyond the road itself, the project encompasses a variety of ancillary developments designed to directly benefit local communities. The inspection team, led by Togolese Minister of Public Works Zouréhatou Kassah-Traoré, witnessed firsthand the completion of several such projects.
These include an expanded market in Baguida, featuring new storage facilities and upgraded power and water distribution networks. The team also visited a newly constructed footbridge in Agbodrafo, a modernized medical center, and a new multifunctional youth center in Abalo-Condji.
Afi Mawulé Takpa, head of the medical center’s maternity unit, expressed her enthusiasm about the project’s impact. “The new facilities will allow us to provide superior care to our patients,” she said. “We’ll have additional beds, improved equipment, and most importantly, closer proximity to those we serve.”
Wilfrid Abiola, the AfDB’s Country Manager for Togo, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the project’s success. “This road is essential for regional development,” Abiola stated. “The AfDB is working closely with Togo to ensure its completion and is actively seeking additional funding to finalize the entire Abidjan-Lagos Corridor project.”
Joaquin Tasso Vilallonga, the European Union’s Ambassador to Togo, echoed Abiola’s sentiments. “The European Union is proud to support this major infrastructure project that fosters regional integration,” Vilallonga remarked. “We are impressed by the progress made and look forward to the project’s completion in the coming months.”
