Roads are integral to economic development. They promote local, regional and international trade by enabling the movement of goods and people.
They allow countries to export products across the region. Well-maintained, paved roads also mean that foods, medicals and other essentials can be moved around more quickly, especially in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.
As much as roads are the main channels through which people move around, many West African roads are in poor conditions. This slows down commuting while hampering growth and development.
Bad roads are turning the region to an area of wasted economic opportunities and crippling its development. Some nations cannot maximize their time and duly harness possibilities for development in West Africa due to ineffective transportation systems and road networks.
The lack of modern roads and transport infrastructure is one of the things affecting West Africa’s economic growth. The poor state of roads has caused an “economic distance” to trade. High transit cost makes the region’s exports less competitive on world markets and imports more expensive for consumers.
Moreover, unhindered access to market, labour, raw materials, capital, and human resource is a mark of a healthy economy, hence improving the road infrastructure is now a priority for West African states.
However, with funding from the African Development Bank, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) of the African Union, is embarking on a transnational highway project to link 12 West African coastal nations, from Mauritania in the north-west of the region to Nigeria in the east. It is called the Trans-West African Coastal Highway.
Connecting and repositioning West African road networks, through this project will improve internal and regional connectivity between cities, foster harmony and boost economic activities. There will be easy movement of people and goods, enhancement of bilateral trades, increased market access and socio-economic development in West Africa.
Also, implementation of good road networks by West African nations will promote investment in road transportation. This will have a positive effect on road users, as travelling and goods delivery will be easier and affordable.
More so, the world is changing innovatively at a faster pace. Countries and regions now use smart road technology for easier movements. West Africa should also endeavour to join the bandwagon. Solar roadways, interactive light, wind power light, investment in electric vehicles and electric priority lanes are some of the technologies that can be considered to reposition road networks.
In today’s globally interconnected economy, an efficient transportation system is a pathway to economic prosperity. Economic growth cannot be improved without the essential infrastructure that aids mobility of people and products. As the world is becoming increasingly networked, interdependent and service-oriented, the capacities to transact business efficiently, speedily, safely and easily are becoming more important to economic development.
Also, good roads are critical to export. Many exporting West African countries cannot thrive when trading in some parts of the region because of the bad state of the roads. A situation where trucks transporting products to be shipped overseas spend weeks on the road before getting to the export terminal does not show positive growth on our economic base.
Besides, West African governments need to also improve their infrastructure policies and regulations to expand public access and attract investments from private investors.
Our leaders need to understand that impressive population size without corresponding socioeconomic infrastructure does not equate to a big market. The existence of a dynamic market is predicated on extensive and good road networks.
