ECOWAS, UEMOA unite for stronger road networks in West Africa

In a proactive move to combat the persistent issue of heavy goods vehicle overloading, experts from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) convened for a joint regional consultation in Cotonou, Benin, from September 26 to 27, 2024.

This significant hybrid technical meeting brought together regional transport sector experts, road haulage organizations, civil society representatives, and technical partners to discuss the implementation of the ECOWAS Supplementary Act on the Harmonization of Standards and Procedures for Checking the Dimensions, Weights, and Axle Loads of Goods Vehicles in West Africa, in alignment with UEMOA Regulation 14.

The purpose of the meeting was to agree on essential actions for both ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions, member states, transport operators, and other stakeholders—including ports, industries, and shippers—to effectively implement the new Harmonized Supplementary Act on axle load control.

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Following two days of rigorous discussions, several critical recommendations emerged.

Among the key outcomes was the recommendation for the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions to forward the signed harmonized regional Supplementary Act to member states.

They were also tasked with finalizing a regional action plan for its implementation, which would include a timetable and initiatives aimed at professionalizing and renewing the hauliers’ fleet while removing non-tariff barriers to enhance transport corridor fluidity.

Furthermore, member states were urged to raise awareness among stakeholders regarding the implementation of the Supplementary Act.

H.E. Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, emphasized the importance of this additional act for regional economic stability during his opening remarks.

He stated, “This additional act is very important when we consider the future that awaits us. With the adoption of studies on the construction of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Motorway, it has been demonstrated that this road axis will support over 75% of community trade, thus strengthening our regional integration.”

Chris APPIAH, Acting Director of Transport for ECOWAS, highlighted the historical context of the additional act and noted the progress made thus far.

“Progress has been made, but many challenges remain. It is also hoped that West Africa can draw inspiration from the experience of the 3 economic regions of Southern Africa (EAC, SADEC and COMESA), which have joined forces under the name TRIPARTITE to adopt a single management and control protocol for road axes, thus reinforcing the African integration advocated by the African Union,” he concluded.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Aboubakar Sidiki TOURE, Director of Infrastructure at UEMOA, acknowledged the strides taken in reducing the rate of overloading on the roads but stressed that challenges persist.

“Nevertheless, there are still challenges to be met as long as regional road infrastructures continue to be damaged by heavy goods vehicles,” he remarked, assuring attendees of UEMOA’s commitment to collaborating with ECOWAS and member states in the implementation of the new Supplementary Act.

This initiative follows the 61st Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on July 7, 2022, which approved the ECOWAS Supplementary Act A/SA.3/07/22 that amends previous regulations on the control of dimensions, weight, and axle load of goods vehicles in West Africa. The 65th Summit, held on July 7, 2024, further highlighted the ongoing excessive damage caused to community roads by overloading and called upon member states to adhere strictly to the axle-load limits as stipulated in the new harmonized community text