Abidjan metro project: key Port-Bouët road shut for two months

Port-Bouët’s Rue des Caraïbes—a vital artery in the southern district of Abidjan—has been closed to vehicular traffic since July 15 for a period of two and a half months. Authorities cite the need to facilitate the construction of a critical railway bridge deck for Metro Line 1 as the reason. Traffic is expected to resume by September 30.

Motorists have been directed to follow the designated alternative routes and adhere to all safety protocols around the construction zone. This temporary closure is part of the accelerated timeline for delivering Abidjan’s first elevated metro line.

Expanding mobility across seven districts

Metro Line 1 will link Anyama, north of the economic capital, to Port-Bouët, home to Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, spanning 37.4 kilometers across seven districts. Once operational, the automated metro is expected to carry over 500,000 passengers daily, completing the journey in just 50 minutes—roughly eight times faster than current peak-hour car travel.

The project includes 18 stations, 24 bridges, a lagoon-spanning viaduct, and 34 pedestrian walkways. As of last month, civil works on the lagoon viaduct neared completion, with 12 of the 24 bridge decks already installed. The line is slated for full service by the end of 2028.

French-led infrastructure in Côte d’Ivoire

The metro is being built by a French consortium comprising Bouygues Travaux Publics, Alstom, Colas Rail, and Keolis. Bouygues oversees civil engineering and rolling stock supply, while Keolis will operate the line for 15 years post-delivery.

With a total investment of approximately €1.36 billion, the project is largely financed by France through the French Development Agency and French Treasury loans. This makes it one of the largest French transport investments in West Africa in recent years.

Easing congestion in Abidjan’s urban sprawl

Abidjan’s metropolitan area is home to around 5.5 million people. Port-Bouët, a coastal district in the south, hosts the international airport and key industrial zones. Chronic traffic congestion plagues the city due to a lack of high-capacity public transport options.

The new metro aims to transform urban mobility by providing a fast, reliable alternative to buses and shared taxis. Local job creation is also anticipated during both construction and operation phases, boosting economic activity across the region.

Strategic implications for France

For France, the Abidjan metro represents more than infrastructure—it’s a tool of economic and diplomatic influence in Francophone Africa. The project underscores France’s strategy of funding critical infrastructure in its former territories, where domestic firms maintain a competitive edge over rivals from China and Turkey.

Success in Côte d’Ivoire could serve as a model for similar ventures in Senegal and Guinea, reinforcing France’s role as a key partner in regional development. With the Rue des Caraïbes closure marking one of the final critical milestones, crews are racing to lay tracks and install Alstom trainsets before the 2028 launch.