France Commits to Enhancing Lagos' Public Transport System, Investing $700 Million Over 12 Years

Strategic Insights -

The French Government, through its Development Agency (AFD), has been investing heavily in Lagos State's public transport system, with a commitment of over $700 million over the past 12 years. This investment has significantly reduced travel time and costs for millions of Lagosians, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Minister of State for Development, Francophone and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, has expressed satisfaction with the level of support France is giving to Lagos State, and has congratulated the State on its past and future achievements.

Key Takeaways:

  • France has invested over $700 million in Lagos State's public transport system over the past 12 years, with $350 million dedicated to developing the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).
  • The MRTS has contributed to reducing travel time and costs for millions of Lagosians, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan (LSTMP) project aims to enhance access to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through the construction of 4 Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) for a total length of 28km, and will benefit 1.5 million daily users.
  • The Waterways Investment and Development of the Environment in Lagos State (WIDE-LAG) project aims to develop mass public Inland Waterways Transport in Lagos, and will significantly reduce travel costs and CO emissions.
  • The WIDE-LAG project will include the development of 6 priority ferry routes covering a total length of 129km, and the upgrading of 20 ferry terminals and jetties.
  • Lagos will deploy the first electric vessels in Sub-Saharan Africa, and will be at the forefront of innovation in this area.
  • The transport sector generates 20% of carbon dioxide emissions in Lagos, and the State aims to reduce this through decarbonization of the transport sector.

Statistics:

  • $700 million: The total investment by France in Lagos State's public transport system over the past 12 years.
  • $350 million: The amount invested by France in developing the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).
  • 28km: The total length of the 4 Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) to be constructed under the LSTMP project.
  • 1.5 million: The number of daily users that will benefit from the LSTMP project.
  • 129km: The total length of the 6 priority ferry routes to be developed under the WIDE-LAG project.
  • 20: The number of ferry terminals and jetties to be upgraded under the WIDE-LAG project.
  • 40 million: The estimated population of Lagos by 2040.
  • 20%: The percentage of carbon dioxide emissions generated by the transport sector in Lagos.

Sources:

  • THEWILL, "France Commits to Enhancing Lagos' Public Transport System, Investing $700 Million Over 12 Years"
  • Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), "France Commits to Enhancing Lagos' Public Transport System, Investing $700 Million Over 12 Years"