The Role of Cross-Border Energy, Transport, and ICT Infrastructure on Economic Integration among West African States

Naim Shehu

doi:10.59261/jlsp.v4i4.207

Authors

Naim Shehu Pan African University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59261/jlsp.v4i4.207

Keywords:

Cross-Border Infrastructure, Economic Integration, Energy Infrastructure, ICT Infrastructure, Regional Trade, Transport Infrastructure

Abstract

Background: Cross-border infrastructure is one of the major constraints on regional economic integration in West Africa. This study focuses on energy, transport, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in the 15 member countries of the ECOWAS region and assesses their potential to promote regional economic integration.

Methods: Data on the physical development of various types of infrastructure were derived from the African Infrastructure Development Index (AIDI) for the 2020–2025 period. The secondary data used in the study were largely drawn from the African Development Bank and other relevant studies. The methodology used in the study is descriptive and comparative.

Results: The study established that there are significant disparities in the levels of development of various types of infrastructure across the ECOWAS region. While ICT infrastructure is growing rapidly, the development of energy infrastructure, particularly electricity infrastructure, remains slow in most countries. There is a positive correlation between infrastructure quality and integration outcomes; however, institutional factors are preventing goods and services from moving smoothly across borders, thereby limiting the ability of physical connectivity to translate into trade benefits.

Conclusion: Thus, there is a need for focused investment and coherent policies in energy, transport, and ICT infrastructure to achieve significant progress in regional integration within ECOWAS.

References

Abendin, S., & Duan, P. (2021). International trade and economic growth in Africa: The role of the digital economy. Cogent Economics & Finance, 9(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2021.1911767

African Development Bank. (2025). Africa Infrastructure Development Index (AIDI) 2025 [Dataset]. African Development Bank Group.

Ajagun, A. S., Mao, W., Sun, X., Guo, J., Adebisi, B., & Aibinu, A. (2024). The status and potential of regional integrated energy systems in sub-Saharan Africa: An investigation of the feasibility and implications for sustainable energy development. Energy Strategy Reviews, 53, Artikel 101402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2024.101402

Akinleye, V. (2026). Unlocking Africa's regional trade potential: Evaluating PIDA and NEPAD infrastructure investments on intra-African trade efficiency and cross-border links. Research and Innovation, 2(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20260202.13

Akomolehin, O. F., Olusegun, I. F., & Famo, O. J. (2025). Infrastructure development and labor market efficiency: A sectoral analysis of transport and energy infrastructure in ECOWAS. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 10(8), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25aug1152

Andoh, S., Thorson, J. L., & Gebremariam, Y. (2024). Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): A regional integration analysis. Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 21(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.33423/jlae.v21i2.7063

Atiku, A., Ismail, S., & Ahmad, A. U. (2021). Energy trade amidst sustainable economic growth in regional cooperation of West African states: Fresh evidence from panel CS-ARDL. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 11(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.11598

Bassey, M., Etefia, V., & Ebong, V. (2024). Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and sub-regional integration in West Africa. European Journal of Political Science Studies, 7(2), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpss.v7i2.1772

Charles, V. P., Aniche, E. T., Jacob, O., & Iwuoha, V. C. (2025). Which way ECOWAS? China's Belt and Road initiatives and regional economic integration in West Africa. Politikon, 52(2), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2025.2595725

Chuku, C., Simpasa, A., & Ekpo, A. (2022). Catalyzing regional integration in Africa: The role of infrastructure. The World Economy, 45(10), 3024–3060. https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.13364

Diaby, Z., Nyakujara, R. T., Zhu, H., & Arif, A. (2025). Comparative analysis of port efficiency in ECOWAS: Case studies of major ports. Journal of Management Science, 3(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.54097/wy003r45

Dike, G. S., Eke, E. I., & Olayanju, O. (2026). Transport infrastructure deficits and their implications on AfCFTA cross-border logistics in West Africa. European Journal of Logistics, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, 14(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.37745/ejlpscm.2013/vol14n119

Ekeocha, D. O., Ogbuabor, J., & Orji, A. (2021). Public infrastructural development and economic performance in Africa: New evidence from panel data. Economic Change and Restructuring, 55(3), 1205–1232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10644-021-09334-8

Fisher, A. O., & Oludemi, S. A. (2022). Reassessing regional integration in the West Africa sub-region: ECOWAS's prospects and challenges. Budapest International Research and Critics in Linguistics and Education, 4(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v4i1.599

Gammadigbe, V. (2021). Trade integration in West Africa: Does the quality of institutions matter? Journal of African Trade, 8(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.2991/jat.k.211201.001

Idu, J. O. O., Abioye, R. F., & Itoh, S. (2025). Harnessing intra-African energy trade for poverty alleviation: Opportunities and barriers in the context of AfCFTA. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 6(5), 394–408. https://doi.org/10.54660/.ijmrge.2025.6.5.394-408

Kalinichenko, L. (2023). ECOWAS: Energy and digital infrastructure as a factor of regional integration and development. Asia and Africa Today, 2023(10), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.31857/s032150750026540-6

Koroma, M., Fofanah, K., Tejan, M. D., & Alimamy, A. (2025). Digital trade barriers: Assessing infrastructure deficiencies, security risks, and regulatory challenges in West Africa. International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science, 14(6), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.51583/ijltemas.2025.140600053

Kostyunina, G. (2025). The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): Results of 50 years of functioning. MGIMO Review of International Relations, 18(1), 149–161. https://doi.org/10.24833/2073-8420-2025-1-74-149-161

Kourouma, M. L., & Camara, Y. (2026). Technical and commercial losses in the West African interconnected electricity network: Challenges and prospects. Physical Science International Journal, 30(3), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.9734/psij/2026/v30i3940

Kuteyi, D., & Winkler, H. (2022). Logistics challenges in sub-Saharan Africa and opportunities for digitalization. Sustainability, 14(4), Artikel 2399. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042399

Ojomo, E. (2023). International law and regional electricity infrastructure: The West African Power Pool. AJIL Unbound, 117, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1017/aju.2022.72

Owolabi, O., Oku, A. O., Alejo, A., Ogunbiyi, T., & Ike, J. I. (2021). Access to electricity, information and communications technology (ICT), and financial development: Evidence from West Africa. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 11(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.10344

Rasheed, A. (2023). African Union (AU) regional integration agenda and socio-economic development in West African sub-region. International Journal of Research in Education, Humanities and Commerce, 4(3), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.37602/ijrehc.2023.4309

Shi, J., Agyemang, K. O., & Cheng, Z. (2022). Optimizing intermodal transport and hub location problem for ECOWAS in the context of improving intra-regional trade. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2022, Artikel 2559663. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2559663

Soro, S. J. (2025). The digitalization of procedures and fraud on customs value: The case study of Côte d'Ivoire. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Policy, 3(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.47941/ijecop.3178

Tandrayen-Ragoobur, V., Ongono, P., & Gong, J. (2022). Infrastructure and intra-regional trade in Africa. The World Economy, 45(10), 3061–3095. https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.13358

Usman, F. K., Zakaree, S., Muktar, M., Yakubu, A., & Olure-Bank, A. (2024). Infrastructure and economic growth in ECOWAS member states: The Westerlund co-integration approach. Jurnal Perspektif Pembiayaan dan Pembangunan Daerah, 12(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.22437/ppd.v12i1.28460

Yao, K. A., & Asongu, S. A. (2025). Direct and indirect impacts of ICT infrastructure development in promoting economic growth in ECOWAS. The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 34(5), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/08853908.2025.2592936