Have you heard of the Trans-African Highway network?

The Trans-African Highway (TAH) network is an ambitious infrastructure initiative that aims to connect the countries of the African continent through a series of transcontinental highways. The TAH network consists of nine highways, stretching over 60,000 kilometres and passing through 37 countries. It is designed to connect major cities, ports and economic hubs across Africa.

The network is a symbol of Africa’s quest for regional integration and economic development through intra-African trade.

First proposed in 1971, progress has been slow. Only one of the nine planned highways has been completed – the 4,400 km Trans-Sahelian Highway, which runs through seven countries, connecting Dakar, Senegal, to Ndjamena, Chad.

Three others are expected to be completed shortly:

• The Trans-West African Coastal Highway, connecting Dakar and Lagos, is almost complete, with only a few sections, including those in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, requiring upgrades.

• The Trans-Sahara Highway, connecting Algiers and Lagos, is mostly complete (1). Ninety percent has been asphalted but the quality is variable in some desert regions.

• The Pan-African Highway, connecting Cairo and Cape Town, is not yet fully complete, with some detours and ferry crossings still necessary.

The Trans-African Highway network will be key to the realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Improved road infrastructure and reduced logistical challenges will lower transportation costs. Linking production centres with consumer markets will create opportunities for businesses and industries.

Africa's 16 landlocked nations will have easier access to coastal ports, enabling them to participate more actively in regional as well as global trade.

Beyond trade, the TAH will encourage social and cultural exchanges, and open the possibility of greater unity and collaboration among and between African nations and peoples.

Further reading: The long winding road to Africa’s infrastructure development by UNECA, January 2025