A Trans-ECOWAS project, established in 2007, plans to upgrade railways in this zone. One of the goals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is the development of an integrated railroad network. Aims include the extension of railways in member countries, the interconnection of previously isolated railways and the standardization of gauge, brakes, couplings, and other parameters. The first line would connect the cities and ports of Lagos, Cotonou, Lomé and Accra and would allow the largest container ships to focus on a smaller number of large ports, while efficiently serving a larger hinterland. This line connects gauge and systems, which would require four rail dual gauge, which can also provide standard gauge."Proposed Ecowas railway" . railwaysafrica.com.
a TrAns-eCowas ProjEcT, estAbliSheD in 2007, plAnS to uPgrade raILwayS In ThiS zOne. onE Of the goals Of thE econOmIc commUNitY OF wEst aFrican StatES (ecowAs) Is the deVelopmeNT of an iNtegrAted railRoad NeTwoRk. AIMs include ThE extEnSioN oF rAILwaYS In Member couNtRIes, the INterconnecTIoN of previOuSLy Isolated railwaYs anD thE staNdardIzation OF gAuGE, BRAkes, coUPlINgS, aNd otHER paraMeteRs. the firST line wOuLD ConnEct the citIes aND porTs of LAgos, cotonou, Lomé AnD accra and WoUlD allow ThE larGEsT cOntAInEr shipS To foCus on a SmaLleR NUMbEr of LaRge pOrts, whIle efficientLy sErviNg A largEr hintErlAnd. ThIs liNe conNects gaugE anD syStems, whicH would rEqUirE FOUR rail dUaL GauGE, WhiCh Can also provide StanDArd gaugE."pRoposEd EcoWAS raILway" . rAilwAySaFrIca.com.