ECOWAS Mission Meet Stakeholders,, Pushes for Implementation of Regional Rail and MultiModal Corridor Projects.
By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive move to fast-track critical regional transport infrastructure, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has undertaken a high-level mission to Senegal aimed at accelerating the implementation of two flagship projects: the Phase 1 Dakar-Bamako Railway Line (Dakar–Tambacounda) and the Praia-Dakar-Abidjan Multimodal Corridor.
Led by Honourable Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, the mission was accompanied by Mr. Chris Appiah, Director of Transport, and Mr. Kebba Fye, Acting Director of the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU). The delegation held strategic consultations from July 3 to 4, 2025, engaging key stakeholders to mobilize renewed political will and technical collaboration on these transformative infrastructure initiatives.
The centerpiece of the discussions was the revitalization of the Dakar–Bamako Railway Line, a vital inter-state link between Senegal and Mali. Phase 1 of the project, stretching from Dakar to Tambacounda, is being prioritized for immediate implementation. This section forms the backbone of a broader strategy to reinvigorate regional trade, ensure efficient mobility of goods and people, and stimulate economic growth across the subregion.
On July 4, 2025, the ECOWAS team met with Honourable Yankhoba Dieme, Senegal’s Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Aviation. During the meeting, Commissioner Douka reaffirmed ECOWAS’ unwavering commitment to supporting its member states in delivering priority infrastructure projects. “The Dakar–Bamako Railway and the Praia-Dakar-Abidjan Corridor are not just transport projects — they are catalysts for regional integration, competitiveness, and inclusive development,” said Douka.
Minister Dieme, in response, underscored the strategic importance of the railway for Senegal’s economic agenda. “The Government of Senegal places high priority on the modernization of the Dakar-Bamako line. Phase 1 from Dakar to Tambacounda is a foundational step that we are determined to realize in partnership with ECOWAS,” he stated.
The mission also addressed the progress of the Praia–Dakar–Abidjan Multimodal Corridor, an ambitious multi-country infrastructure program that seeks to connect island and coastal West Africa through integrated sea, road, and rail networks. The corridor is expected to enhance port efficiency, support intermodal logistics, and boost intra-regional trade.
This high-level mission is part of ECOWAS’ broader strategy to drive regional infrastructure integration, which has seen renewed urgency amid growing demands for sustainable, efficient transport systems to support the bloc’s economic vision under the ECOWAS Vision 2050 framework.
As planning shifts to execution, stakeholders anticipate a surge in public-private investments and stronger alignment among regional partners to deliver on these bold infrastructure ambitions.
