Côte d’Ivoire is strengthening its climate monitoring with its first weather radar. Commissioned on April 1, 2026, by the state company SODEXAM, this system, capable of covering 400 km around Abidjan, aims to improve the prevention of hazardous weather events, particularly urban flooding, which costs billions of CFA francs each year. Financed with USD 32 million as part of the Vigilance, Alerts, and Climate and Meteorological Services project, this radar represents a turning point in the modernization of the country’s forecasting system.
On April 1, 2026, Côte d’Ivoire commissioned its first weather radar. Installed by the Company for the Development of Airport, Aeronautical, and Meteorological Operations (SODEXAM), this radar aims to strengthen the prevention and management of hazardous weather events, while improving forecast accuracy for various user sectors. The system has a monitoring range of 400 kilometers, covering the entire Abidjan district as well as a large portion of the coastline and inland areas.
“This is still something extremely important; it’s not just about air navigation. These are important data because there are applications that go with them, which allow for alerts, provide information to farmers, and help prevent certain disasters, particularly those that could result from flooding.”
Amadou Koné, Minister of Transport – Côte d’Ivoire
For Ivorian authorities, this radar aims to significantly reduce the risks associated with urban flooding, which causes billions of CFA francs in material damage each year in Côte d’Ivoire. In 2025, natural disasters, primarily floods, resulted in USD 3 billion in economic losses across Africa. For Abidjan, the World Bank mobilized USD 315 million approximately 190 billion CFA francs. for flood risk management, highlighting the scale of prevention needs.
“So it is still very important for saving lives, very important for transport and mobility, and also very important for agriculture and our populations.”
Amadou Koné, Minister of Transport – Côte d’Ivoire
It should be noted, however, that this infrastructure is part of the “Vigilance, Alerts, and Climate and Meteorological Services for Users” project, financed with USD 32 million and represents a turning point in the modernization of the country’s monitoring and forecasting system.
