Bridging Borders, Building Futures: ECOWAS Convenes Regional Power Infrastructure Forum By Raymond Enoch

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened its Fourth Regional Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Forum in Lagos, spotlighting the urgent need for stronger legal frameworks to unlock the full potential of cross-border infrastructure projects in West Africa.

Under the theme “Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Sustainable PPPs,” the two-day forum—running from May 15 to 16, 2025—is spearheaded by ECOWAS’s Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU).

The event serves as a high-level platform for public and private sector leaders, legal experts, and international development partners to confront one of the region’s most pressing infrastructure challenges: how to attract investment and ensure project sustainability in emerging markets with fragile legal ecosystems.

At the heart of the discussions are two transformative projects—the Lagos–Abidjan and Praia–Dakar–Abidjan Highway Corridor initiatives. These flagship ventures are set to redefine regional trade and connectivity but hinge on the successful alignment of legal and regulatory frameworks across member states.

“Robust legal frameworks are the foundation of successful PPPs,” said ECOWAS officials during the opening session. “Without harmonized and enforceable regulations, we risk losing out on billions in private investment and development momentum.”

In collaboration with strategic partners like the World Bank and Spain’s AECID, the forum aims to identify legal gaps, share best practices, and chart a unified course toward more investor-friendly PPP environments across West Africa.

As ECOWAS pushes forward with its vision of a more interconnected and economically empowered region, this forum could mark a turning point in how legal architecture supports infrastructure development—and ultimately, regional integration.

“It’s not just about building roads. It’s about paving the way for prosperity.”