Abidjan metro project halts traffic on key Port-Bouët road

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. The closure is part of preparations for the construction of a railway bridge deck on Line 1 of the Abidjan metro. Traffic is expected to resume on September 30.

Local authorities have issued clear guidelines for motorists, urging them to adhere to the temporary traffic plan and observe all safety measures around the construction zone. This enforced closure aligns with the accelerated timeline of Côte d’Ivoire’s first elevated metro line.

Connecting northern Abidjan to the international airport

The 37.4-kilometer Line 1 will link Anyama in the northern outskirts of the economic capital to Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Port-Bouët, passing through seven municipalities. Once operational, the fully automated metro is projected to transport over 500,000 passengers daily, completing the journey in just 50 minutes—roughly eight times faster than the current average commute during peak hours.

The project includes 18 stations, 24 bridges, a lagoon-spanning viaduct, and 34 pedestrian walkways. As of last month, civil engineering work on the lagoon crossing was nearing completion, and 12 of the 24 bridge decks had been finalized. The metro is slated for launch by the end of 2028.

French-led infrastructure partnership

The metro is being developed by a French consortium led by Bouygues Travaux Publics, alongside Alstom, Colas Rail, and Keolis. Bouygues oversees civil engineering and rolling stock supply, while Keolis will manage operations for the first 15 years post-completion.

The total investment is estimated at approximately €1.36 billion, largely financed by France through the French Development Agency and French Treasury loans. This makes it one of the largest French transport infrastructure investments in West Africa.

Addressing Abidjan’s chronic congestion crisis

With over 5.5 million residents in its metropolitan area, Abidjan struggles with severe traffic congestion due to the absence of high-capacity public transit. Port-Bouët, a coastal district in the south, hosts the international airport and key industrial zones.

The new metro aims to alleviate pressure on the road network and provide a dependable alternative to buses and shared taxis. Local job creation is also expected, both during construction and operation, supporting the regional economy.

Strategic significance for France in West Africa

For France, the Abidjan metro represents more than an infrastructure project—it’s a tool for economic and diplomatic influence in Francophone Africa. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to fund critical infrastructure in former colonies, reinforcing the presence of French firms amid growing competition from China and Turkey.

The successful completion of Line 1 could pave the way for similar French-backed metro projects in neighboring countries such as Senegal and Guinea. Construction is progressing rapidly, and the closure of Rue des Caraïbes marks one of the final critical milestones before rail laying and the installation of Alstom trains across the full route.