AfDB champions regional corridors for AfCFTA economic integration and growth
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering regional integration through the development of key infrastructure corridors across the continent.
AfDB chief Akinwumi Adesina has recently emphasized the critical role these corridors play in reducing transport costs, improving market access, and stimulating economic growth. During a meeting with Kenya’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Adesina highlighted several ongoing projects that exemplify the AfDB’s efforts, including the transformation of the Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road and the Central Corridor Standard Gauge Railway, which links Tanzania, Burundi, and the DRC.
Major investment in Africa’s regional corridors will also be the focus of discussions at the AfDB’s 2025 Annual Meetings, scheduled to take place in Abidjan from 26 to 30 May under the theme “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development”. AfDB’s investments in cross-border infrastructure have surpassed $50 billion over the past decade, cementing its position as the leading multilateral infrastructure financier in Africa.
These projects span road, rail, and port developments, such as the Trans-Sahara Highway, linking the Maghreb and Sahel regions, and the Abidjan-Lagos Coastal Motorway, which will connect key West African cities. These corridors are vital to unlocking Africa’s natural resources and boosting regional economies by facilitating trade across borders.
The AfDB’s infrastructure investments are central to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a unified market. “It is only via regional corridors that we will be able to move goods and services easily across the continent, reduce transport costs, encourage integration and achieve effective economic development,” Adesina said recently. His call for further investment in transport networks, such as the Nairobi to Western Kenya road, reflects the ongoing need to enhance connectivity across the continent, enabling Africa to leverage its geographical position and resources for greater economic prosperity.