IsDB Approves $1.365 Billion to Expand Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, Fund Projects Across 12 Countries.

In a significant boost to regional integration and sustainable development, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved $1.365 billion in financing to support major infrastructure and social development projects across 12 member countries, with a strong focus on expanding the strategic Abidjan-Lagos transport corridor.

The approvals were granted during a recent meeting of the IsDB Board of Executive Directors, underscoring the institution’s continued commitment to strengthening connectivity, economic resilience, and inclusive growth across Africa and other member regions.

A central highlight of the financing package is the expansion and upgrade of key road segments along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, one of West Africa’s most important economic arteries. The corridor links major commercial hubs across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, serving as a lifeline for trade, mobility, and regional cooperation.

By improving road capacity and transport efficiency, the project is expected to reduce travel time, lower logistics costs, and enhance cross-border trade, while creating new opportunities for businesses and communities along the route.
Beyond transport infrastructure, the approved funding spans a wide range of critical sectors. These include renewable energy development, water security, agriculture, healthcare, education, and skills development, each carefully selected to address pressing development needs in participating countries.

Projects supported under the package aim to expand access to clean energy, strengthen water and sanitation systems, improve healthcare delivery, and invest in human capital, particularly for women, children, and vulnerable populations.

The IsDB noted that the financing aligns with its broader development strategy focused on sustainability, economic diversification, and resilience. By combining large-scale infrastructure investments with social sector support, the bank seeks to deliver long-term impact that extends beyond physical assets to improved quality of life.

As global economies navigate uncertainty, initiatives like this signal a steady commitment to collaboration, regional integration, and people-centered development. For countries along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor and beyond, the IsDB’s $1.365 billion approval represents not just funding, but a renewed pathway toward connectivity, opportunity, and shared prosperity.