The Trans-Sahara Highway, planned by African Union member states to link Lagos with Algiers through Kano, Zinder, Agadez, Tamanrasset, and In Salah, is a 4,500-kilometre corridor that would connect sub-Saharan and North Africa's two largest economies. Fully realised, it would enable overland trade that currently must travel by sea via Europe or the West African coast. The highway's construction is approximately 85 percent complete in terms of pavement, with remaining gaps concentrated in the Niger section between Agadez and the Algerian border.
Security and Political Obstacles
Niger's 2023 military coup, which overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, led Algeria and Nigeria to close their borders with Niger, effectively severing the corridor. The Sahel security environment, with JNIM and ISWAP activity in the corridor zone, has made commercial trucking through the Agadez region extremely high-risk. Algeria and Nigeria continue to discuss corridor revitalisation as diplomatic relations with Niger normalise. When fully operational, the highway could reduce Lagos-Algiers cargo costs from $4,000-6,000 sea freight to under $1,500 overland. Corridor investors and logistics planners can monitor Trans-Sahara developments on intra-africa.com.
For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.