The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Commission have signed agreements to co-finance five road infrastructure projects in West Africa.

The total cost of the projects is estimated to be €652m, of which AfDB will provide €350m in loans and grants, while the EU will offer €105m in grants.

Other partners, including the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the concerned West African countries and other donors will provide the remaining amount.

The agreements signed between EU and AfDB are part of a historic framework agreement known as the Pillar Assessed Grant or Delegation Agreement (PAGODA) signed in September this year.

The PAGODA agreement will fund the rehabilitation of the Lome-Cotonou road, as well as examines and suggests measures for trade and transport facilitation on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.

“We are on the right path and I am convinced that our cooperation will continue to grow.”

The funds will also be used for the development and transport facilitation on the Bamako-San Pedro corridor between Mali and Côte d’Ivoire.

Construction of Rosso bridge between Mauritania and Senegal and the rehabilitation of the CU2a community road section in Burkina Faso near the border with Niger will also be covered under this funding.

AfDB senior vice-president Charles Boamah said: “We are on the right path and I am convinced that our cooperation will continue to grow. For the Bank, PAGODA goes beyond a simple financing framework.

“The stakes are much higher: we must fulfil our commitment to fight poverty by mobilising additional partners and resources for greater results and impact.”