The bustling rue des Caraïbes in Port-Bouët, a key thoroughfare in southern Abidjan, has been closed to traffic since Wednesday, July 15. This closure, lasting two and a half months, aims to facilitate critical infrastructure work for the rail bridge of Abidjan’s Metro Line 1. Normal traffic flow is expected to resume on September 30.
Official project and Ageroute communications have advised motorists to adhere to the designated traffic diversion plan and observe all safety protocols around the construction zone. This temporary closure is part of a stringent construction schedule for Côte d’Ivoire’s first-ever elevated metro line.
Expansive metro line to connect seven districts
Metro Line 1 will stretch 37.4 kilometers, linking Anyama in northern Abidjan to the Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in the south. The route cuts through seven districts, promising a daily capacity of over 500,000 passengers. Commuters will enjoy a 50-minute journey—roughly eight times faster than the current peak-hour drive.
The project encompasses 18 stations, 24 bridges, a lagoon-spanning viaduct, and 34 pedestrian walkways. As of last month, civil engineering works on the lagoon viaduct neared completion, with 12 of the 24 planned bridge decks already installed. The metro is slated for launch by the end of 2028.
French-led consortium driving construction
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 provision, while Keolis will operate the line for 15 years post-completion.
Funding for the €1.36 billion project is largely provided by France through the French Development Agency and French Treasury loans. This financial arrangement positions the Abidjan metro as one of France’s most significant transport infrastructure investments in West Africa.
Urban mobility challenges in Abidjan
Abidjan’s metropolitan area is home to approximately 5.5 million people. Port-Bouët, a coastal district in the south, hosts the international airport and several industrial zones. Chronic traffic congestion plagues the city, with major thoroughfares frequently paralyzed due to the lack of high-capacity public transport.
The new metro is designed to alleviate road congestion and provide a dependable alternative to buses and shared taxis. Local job creation is also anticipated, both during construction and operation phases.
Strategic implications for France
For France, the Abidjan metro represents more than just an infrastructure project—it’s a tool for economic and diplomatic influence in Francophone Africa. The initiative underscores France’s strategy of funding critical infrastructure in its former territories, where French firms maintain a competitive edge over rivals from China and Turkey.
The project’s success could set a precedent for similar undertakings in neighboring countries like Senegal and Guinea, reinforcing France’s role in regional development. With construction progressing steadily, the closure of rue des Caraïbes marks one of the final critical phases before rail laying and the deployment of Alstom trains across the entire route.
