Successful West Africa–EU Regional Forum on the Abidjan– Lagos & Abidjan–Ouagadougou Development Corridors

The regional business forum dedicated to the Abidjan–Lagos and Abidjan–Ouagadougou development corridors, organized in partnership with the European Union, concluded on April 1, 2026, after three days of intense and constructive exchanges at the Palais des Congrès of the Sofitel in Abidjan. The event generated more than 1,100 registration requests and brought together nearly 700 participants, including 30% from European and African companies. The 2026 edition confirmed the strategic importance of these corridors for regional competitiveness and continental integration. It gathered delegations from six corridor countries as well as eleven European Union (EU) countries, alongside major sub-regional institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), development banks, international investors, and economic actors from across West Africa and Europe. The opening session, attended by the Vice President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the Deputy DirectorGeneral for International Partnerships (INTPA) of the EU, Mrs M. Ferran, and the EU ambassadors to Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, set the tone: accelerating the development of transformative infrastructure, improving mobility, and strengthening productive investments along two of the continent’s most essential economic axes. Speakers highlighted the urgent need for enhanced coordination in response to demographic growth, logistical challenges, and increasing demand for resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding climate shocks and economic or security vulnerabilities. The thematic panels addressed major issues related to transport and logistics in West Africa: integrated corridor models, modernization of urban transport, railway development, port transformation, energy transition for road transport, and financing for bankable projects. Participants also explored opportunities offered by the European Global Gateway strategy and multilateral financing instruments. Several countries from the subregion and the Abidjan–Lagos and Abidjan–Ouagadougou corridors presented their priority projects in the port, road, railway, digital, and logistics sectors. Multilateral institutions—including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), ECOWAS, WAEMU, and European partners—unveiled their project pipelines, confirming a shared commitment to expanding access to financing and supporting targeted investments.

In parallel, B2B, B2G, and G2G meetings fostered connections between companies, financial institutions, and public authorities, encouraging the emergence of concrete partnerships. Specialized workshops on sustainable biofuels, vocational training, and startup-driven innovation further enriched the program. The closing ceremony emphasized the need to consolidate progress and deepen joint efforts to improve trade fluidity, support energy transitions, develop resilient infrastructure, and further involve the private sector in regional dynamics. As it concludes, the 2026 edition signals an acceleration of initiatives to modernize the Abidjan–Lagos and Abidjan–Ouagadougou axes. The commitments made confirm the central role of these corridors in the region’s development strategy and reflect a collective determination to turn them into engines of integration and competitiveness for West Africa as a whole. Media Contacts : EU Delegation: Borovac Pecarevic Martina — Martina.BOROVAC-PECAREVIC@eeas.europa.eu Vercoutere Maiva — Maiva.VERCOUTERE@eeas.europa.eu Ministry of Transport: Directorate of Communication & Public Relations — +225 07 79 73 73 23 / 07 07 37 22 92 Enabel: Baes Céline, Programme Manager – Global Gateway Support Project – CALAO forumabidjan@enabel.be CEPICI: Directorate of Communication & Public Relations — +225 05 54 10 74 85