The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has committed to providing a $40.8m loan to the Republics of Benin and Togo, which aim to transform the Lomé–Cotonou Road into a four-lane, 30 km road linking the capitals of the two countries.

The project will connect the Togolese portion of the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, which is a strategic route for the movement of people and goods in Western Africa.

It will also consolidate integration and improve living conditions for 1.7 million people living in the region.

AfDB transport economist Lydie Ehouman said: “The combined construction of the road and coastal protection infrastructure will not only improve the level of service between Lomé and Cotonou – it will most of all preserve human lives, the national territory and socio-economic infrastructure of great importance, such as the Abidjan–Lagos corridor.

“It’s an important step in the protection of the entire Togolese and Beninese coast, as it will enable development of a coherent, comprehensive and multi-dimensional programme to fight against coastal erosion in both countries.”

Geographically located on the major axis linking Togo and Benin, the Avépozo–Aného road section is exposed to coastal erosion and faces the issue of rising traffic volumes.

"It will enable development of a coherent, comprehensive and multi-dimensional programme to fight against coastal erosion in both countries."

With this project, AfDB intends to improve the transport logistical chain and traffic, and bolster the climate resistance of infrastructure in Togo and Benin's coastal areas.

As part of the construction works, about 28 barriers will be added to exposed beaches to reduce coastline erosion from 20m per year to 1m a year.

The project is jointly financed by the African Development Fund (ADF), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the European Union (EU), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), and the Government of Togo for an estimated cost of $187.1m.

Slated for completion in 2020, the project is expected to reduce travel times between Lomé and Cotonou from 11 hours to five hours for trucks.