75th Anniversary of the Port of Abidjan: Infrastructure Boosted by 1,100 Billion FCFA Investment (2011–2024), Positioning it as a Competitive Hub

Presiding over the ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan on September 11, 2025, in Abidjan, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé emphasized that the port infrastructure had benefited from an investment of 1,100 billion FCFA over the period from 2011 to 2024, positioning it as a competitive regional hub.

He stated that in the port sector, strategic decisions were made to allow for massive investments. The total amount of 1,100 billion FCFA has radically transformed the competitiveness and development trajectory of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan.

These investments were realized through several major projects, including the deepening of the Vridi Canal in 2019, the construction of the new ro-ro terminal in 2018, the completion of the second container terminal in 2022, and the inauguration of the cereal terminal in 2023.

As a result of these efforts, the overall volume of cargo traffic has continued to increase, reaching 40.1 million tonnes in 2024, compared to 34.7 million tonnes the previous year, representing a growth of 15.6 percent. Container traffic, which is a cornerstone of the port’s activity, recorded a strong increase of 33 percent.

The port now accounts for 75 percent of Côte d’Ivoire’s external trade and 78 percent of the country’s customs revenue. According to the Prime Minister, these figures confirm the crucial importance of the port in both the national and regional economies.

He noted that this state support has allowed Côte d’Ivoire to position itself at the center of regional trade, and credited this achievement to the enlightened vision of the President of the Republic. He described the Autonomous Port of Abidjan as a national source of pride.

However, the Prime Minister urged stakeholders in the port ecosystem to “think bigger” by anticipating global trade challenges and dynamics. He explained that thinking bigger means projecting the development of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan toward Boulay Island, with smoother and more optimized connections to the Y4 expressway and the highway leading to Songon. It also means ensuring the crossing of the canal is integrated in the most effective way.