Abidjan Autonomous Port Expansion and Modernization Project

port

Cities

Abidjan

Côte d'Ivoire

Cost

$1b

$953,000,000

Phases

operational, 2022

Objective

The new terminal will transform the port into a preferred gateway for neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. It is expected to create employment opportunities for more than 800 people during construction and operations.

Description

The Abidjan port expansion project includes deepening and widening the Vridi Canal, and building a new Côte d'Ivoire Terminal (CIT).

History

The Port Autonome d'Abidjan (PAA) was officially inaugurated on February 5, 1951, following the opening of the Vridi Canal. Before its formal inauguration, the city of Abidjan saw the construction of wharves in Grand-Bassam (1897, 1923) and Port-Bouët (1931), as well as the development of a wharf at Sassandra in 1951. The completion of the Vridi Canal transformed Abidjan into a major sea port. The PAA was legally established as a State Corporation (Société d'État) on December 23, 199