EU–West Africa Forum Highlights Strategic Role of Corridors in Regional Integration

The International EU–West Africa Business Forum on strategic corridors is taking place from March 30 to April 1 in Abidjan, highlighting the critical role of transport corridors in regional competitiveness and continental integration.

The forum aims to accelerate the development of key infrastructure, improve mobility, and boost productive investments along two major economic routes: the Abidjan–Lagos and Abidjan–Ouagadougou corridors. It also underscores the urgent need for stronger coordination to address rapid population growth, logistical challenges, and increasing demands for resilient infrastructure in the face of climate, economic, and security vulnerabilities.

At this high-level event, bringing together governments, technical and financial partners, investors, and private sector actors, Anne Désirée Ouloto, representing Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, emphasized that corridors are vital arteries for regional integration and key drivers of economic growth.

She also praised the strong strategic partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and the European Union, noting that through the Global Gateway initiative, the EU supports the development of regional corridors, financing and modernization of transport infrastructure, sustainable urban mobility, digital connectivity, and green investments.