ECOWAS urges PPPs to close West Africa's infrastructure gap

At the ECOWAS Infrastructure Forum in Abidjan, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, director‑general of Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, called on West African governments to adopt public‑private partnerships (PPPs) as a core strategy to meet the region’s large infrastructure deficit. He said public funds alone cannot finance needed roads, railways, housing and water projects and promoted unsolicited private‑sector proposals as a way to expand the pipeline of bankable projects while transferring risk to investors.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs Dr. Kalilou Sylla reinforced the call, citing the ECOWAS Regional Infrastructure Master Plan that lists 201 priority projects in transport, energy, digital economy and water with an estimated cost of US$131 billion for 2020‑2045. He stressed the need for harmonised PPP frameworks, transparent regulation and mobilisation of domestic capital, noting that Nigeria has strengthened its own PPP rules through eligibility criteria, Swiss‑Challenge procurement and performance bonds. The forum aimed to improve regional coordination, attract private investment and accelerate preparation of climate‑resilient, bankable infrastructure across West Africa.