When Nigeria unveiled its ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway — a sleek 700-kilometre stretch hugging the Atlantic coast — officials promised growth, jobs, and national pride.
The project’s staggering $15.7–17.9 million per kilometre price tag drew sharp comparisons with Africa’s longest road: the Cairo–Cape Town Highway, which cuts across ten countries at a fraction of the cost.
Leaders Raise Red Flags
In 2024, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the Nigerian project; saying it is a “highway to fraud”.
He pointed out that its budget nearly equalled the combined annual allocations of Nigeria’s 36 states.
In response, Works Minister David Umahi defended the cost, citing the Eleme-Onne Road (₦5.2 billion/km) as a precedent.
Nevertheless, critics continue to raise concerns, especially over the lack of open bidding and Hitech Construction’s ties to President Tinubu’s allies.
Funding And Promises
The federal government and Hitech structured the Lagos-Calabar highway project as a public-private partnership, with Hitech providing 70% of the funding.
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Officials claim the highway will inject $45 billion into Nigeria’s GDP within five years.
However, environmental activists and civil society groups argue that the road destroys wetlands, displaces communities, and burdens the economy at a fragile moment.
Cairo–Cape Town: A Slower, Cheaper Alternative
By contrast, the Cairo–Cape Town Highway progresses slowly but steadily.
Governments, institutions like the African Development Bank jointly fund it, using existing infrastructure to cut costs.
For example, Egypt’s Arab Contractors built Ethiopia’s 170 km section at just $156,000/km.
Ultimately, Nigeria races ahead with bold promises, while Africa’s pan-continental dream advances with patience and prudence.
