Sustainable Development i n ECOWAS: A Super Highway Study

Itotenaan Henry Ogiri 
(1. Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom; 2. Rosebowl Education Consult Ltd;
3. Nectar International Business College, Abuja, Nigeria)

Abstract: Over the last four decades, countries in West Africa sub-region have continued to search for an economic integration model through which its socio-economic prosperity will be enhanced. However, despite numerous sub-regional summits, little has been achieved to date in terms of sustainable economic development thus securing an almost permanent seat for the region as one of the world poorest. While regional integration is increasingly being accepted as essential in facilitating socio-economic growth, various accounts from the extant literature indicates that the lack of political will by ECOWAS leaders, among other concomitant factors, have led to the region’s inability to drive home the lofty ideas as contained in its numerous protocols. This paper examines the critical factors that have hampered socio-economic growth in the West Africa sub-region and highlights the imperative of an ECOWAS Super Highway as a driving force for the rapid transformation of a region so rich in human and materials resources yet is nested in a web of abject poverty. The study adopts survey method for its data collection. Data were collected by means of self-designed questionnaire designed on a 5-point Likert scale. The SPSS data software was used in the empirical analysis. Three main hypotheses were formulated and tested for this study. Results from this study indicate a strong association between a super Highway and improve economic integration in the ECOWAS sub-region. Our study further reveals that a Super Highway will serve to promote political stability within the ECOWAS sub-region, although not to a significant extent. Our findings also show that the challenge of language will be highly mitigated if an ECOWAS Super Highway is in place as this will aid in bridging the cultural divide that has existed between its Anglo-phone and Franco-Phone member-states. As a policy-driven research, this study has implications for theory and practice. The study makes original contribution to knowledge as the empirical literature is enriched. Furthermore, the study provides a platform that brings the ECOWAS Super Highway conundrum to both regional and International conversations. Finally, the paper provides an opportunity for further research to assist regional policy formulation particularly as it affects cross-border transportation system within the ECOWAS sub-region.

Key words: sustainable development; West Africa sub-region; economic integration; ECOWAS; super highway; cross-border transportation system

         JEL codes: L, R