Lome Port management lauds ECOWAS Commission’s efforts to enhance regional trade

The management of the Autonomous Port of Lome has expressed glowing praise for the ECOWAS Commission’s significant progress on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project.

The project aims to enhance trade and transport infrastructure across West Africa, driving overall economic development in the region.

In a recent event welcoming a delegation of experts from the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Member States, ECOWAS Directorates, and stakeholders from the trade sector, the Director of Communications, Public Relations, and International Affairs and Cooperation of the Autonomous Port of Lome, Ahmed Awemewetou Haladoko, lauded the ECOWAS Commission’s extraordinary efforts. He emphasized the importance of the project for the region’s economic growth and the improvement of port connectivity.

“This is our desire to have the infrastructure and the connection to the Port improved as much as possible. It is our main aim to see the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project materialized,” Haladoko stated.

Mr. Selmene Mohamed, Coordinator of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project, briefed the management of the Port of Lome on the project’s current status. He highlighted the progress made on the Spatial Development and Trade and Transport facilitation components, which are crucial for the project’s physical commencement.

“We hope to finalize these components as soon as possible, so that next year, we can start launching some sections and see the materialization of this all-important project,” Mohamed articulated, expressing gratitude for the Port of Lome’s interest in the project.

Haladoko further emphasized the significance of the Spatial Development and Trade and Transport Facilitation Studies in realizing improvements in West Africa’s trade and transport infrastructure. He linked these developments to the broader vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), underscoring their potential to drive economic growth and benefit the region’s population.

“The progress in these studies is vital, as they contribute to the economic development of the region and align with the African Continental Free Trade Area project,” Haladoko explained. He noted that the Port of Lome has been preparing for this economic renaissance, making substantial investments to accommodate the largest container vessels and ships from Europe and Asia.

“We have developed and made significant investments to produce a port with a depth of 17m at the main harbour and 19m at the wharf, ready to accept the biggest container vessels and ships in operation. Now, all container vessels and ships from Europe and Asia prefer Lome Port as their destination,” Haladoko added.

The delegation, led by Eng. Ibi Terna, Chairman of the Technical Experts Committee of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project and Director of Highway Planning and Development of the Federal Ministry of Works of Nigeria, also conducted a field visit to the newly completed terminals of the Port of Lome. This visit highlighted the port’s readiness to support the anticipated increase in trade and transport activities stemming from the highway project.

The collaboration between the Port of Lome and the ECOWAS Commission marks a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity and economic growth in West Africa.