On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the European Union granted Côte d’Ivoire a donation of 3 million euros, approximately 1.96 billion CFA francs, intended to initiate the modernization of lagoon transport in Greater Abidjan.
The announcement was made in Abidjan by the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Amadou Koné, during the Business Forum held on the sidelines of the second International Conference on Sustainable Mobility and Climate. The funding is intended to support a program involving the construction of 13 lagoon stations and the acquisition of 25 water buses.
The project aims to strengthen connections on the Ébrié Lagoon and to further integrate this mode of transportation with the other networks of the metropolis. For Ivorian authorities, water buses are intended to complement the metro, the high-level bus service network, and land routes in order to reduce pressure on road corridors.
Amadou Koné stated that the objective was to move from a mere juxtaposition of transportation means to an interconnected multimodal network. This organization should enable travelers to combine several modes of transport with better-structured connections.
European support comes as the government has included the expansion of river-lagoon transport among the projects of the 2026-2030 National Development Plan. Previous programs had already planned for new stations, a shipyard, and the strengthening of fleets operating on the lagoon.
Lagoon transport notably connects several municipalities separated by the Ébrié Lagoon and serves as an alternative to road journeys in an urban area facing rapid population growth. The authorities also aim to improve boarding safety and the regularity of services.
The conference dedicated to sustainable mobility brings together public officials, operators, researchers, and technical partners in Abidjan. Its work focuses on infrastructure financing, climate adaptation, and the organization of transportation in African cities.
Work continues until Thursday, October 22, with technical visits dedicated to the mobility infrastructure of Greater Abidjan.
