ECOWAS Moves Closer to Gambia, Conducts Study on Banjul-Barra Bridge Project. By Raymond Enoch
Taking a note of what could become one of the most transformative infrastructural developments in West Africa, a high-level ECOWAS technical team has kickstarted a crucial feasibility and preliminary design study for the much-anticipated Banjul-Barra Bridge Project.
The four-day consultative mission marks a pivotal step toward linking the Gambian capital to its northern shore — a move expected to revolutionize trade, mobility, and regional integration.
Led by Mr. Maliki David Ashoke, Principal Programme Officer from ECOWAS’ Directorate of Infrastructure, the team engaged an array of top-tier Gambian stakeholders, including the Ministries of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Environment, Finance, and Trade. They also held consultations with the National Roads Authority (NRA), Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), Gambia Ferry Services Company Ltd (GFSC), and the ECOWAS National Unit.
At the heart of the mission was the finalization of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the feasibility and preliminary design study. This study will scrutinize the technical and economic viability of the ambitious project while gauging its environmental and social impacts. Most critically, the findings are expected to lay the groundwork for attracting both public and private investment into the transformative infrastructure scheme.
As part of their field assessment, the ECOWAS delegation visited the existing Banjul-Barra ferry crossing — a critical but aging transport link — to evaluate site conditions and current transport dynamics. The team also toured the Trans-Gambia Bridge, which has significantly improved regional road traffic, and continued to the Sene-Gambia border post to deepen their understanding of cross-border connectivity challenges and opportunities.
According to ECOWAS insiders, the Banjul-Barra Bridge project is being prioritized for its strategic importance in enhancing regional trade corridors, facilitating seamless movement of goods and people, and stimulating socioeconomic growth across The Gambia and neighboring countries.
“The bridge won’t just connect two points across the river — it will connect lives, markets, and opportunities,” said an official close to the deliberations.
With preliminary designs soon to be unveiled, expectations are high that this visionary project could finally move from the drawing board to reality, ushering in a new era of interconnectivity for The Gambia and the ECOWAS region at large.
Paradigm News International would continue to bring you exclusive updates on this landmark regional project.
