Côte d’Ivoire: PETROCI to transform SOCOPAO quay into petroleum terminal

Côte d’Ivoire is set to strengthen its petroleum supply infrastructure through a project led by state-owned oil company PETROCI to transform the SOCOPAO quay into a petroleum landing facility, with a particular focus on improving supplies of liquefied petroleum gas, commonly known as butane.

The project is designed to reinforce the infrastructure used to receive petroleum products and improve the country’s capacity to handle imports by sea.

Under the plan, the 150-meter-long SOCOPAO quay will be upgraded, with maritime infrastructure strengthened and new facilities built to allow the reception of MR1-class vessels carrying up to 40,000 metric tons of petroleum products, equivalent to about 40,000 cubic meters.

The facility will also be connected to existing pipeline networks at the PETROCI SOUTES terminal, which is used to supply fuel to ships.

The project is being financed with 30 billion CFA francs from the West African Development Bank (BOAD).

Beyond strengthening energy infrastructure, the project is expected to generate economic benefits. It is projected to create around 100 direct jobs during the operational phase, while more than 660 indirect and induced jobs are expected to be generated during the implementation and operation of the facility.

The development comes as Côte d’Ivoire seeks to strengthen the security and reliability of its energy supply while expanding infrastructure capable of handling growing demand for petroleum products.

By increasing the country’s capacity to receive large vessels and connect imported products to existing distribution networks, the project could improve the efficiency of petroleum logistics and contribute to greater resilience in the national supply chain.

The transformation of the SOCOPAO quay is therefore expected to play a strategic role in Côte d’Ivoire’s petroleum infrastructure, particularly for the supply and distribution of butane.