2 trillion euros for mobility. In West Africa, transport corridors are at the heart of economic development. In Abidjan, experts and decision-makers gathered to mobilize billions in investment and rethink regional mobility.
In Côte d’Ivoire, on March 31st, 2026, the EU–regional business forum brought together experts and decision-makers around a major issue: how to turn transport corridors into drivers of development for West Africa. Population growth and the intensification of economic exchanges are putting heavy pressure on aging and fragmented infrastructure. Chronic traffic congestion, excessive travel times, and pollution are affecting both daily life and business productivity. To address this challenge, discussions at the forum focused on an integrated approach: urban planning, logistics, and transport, combined with the promotion of low-carbon solutions and renewable energy.
“You cannot have efficient corridors if the departure cities are not properly managed. That is why we came to present Abidjan’s experience, the efforts the government is making to build a city that functions properly, because nearly 90% of the country’s wealth comes from companies based in Abidjan.”
ROMAIN KOUAKOU, Director General of the Urban Mobility Authority in Greater Abidjan – Côte d’Ivoire
For Abidjan, a strategic hub of West African corridors, a project portfolio estimated at 2 trillion euros is planned to ease traffic congestion. Digitalization is also at the core of the recommendations, with interoperable platforms aimed at creating a smooth and secure mobility system.
“In terms of road infrastructure and structures that have been built, the State has invested no less than 3 trillion over the past 10 years. And for the transport services we are currently developing, including the metro and related projects, we are investing no less than 2 trillion. But as we do this, these infrastructures must be used efficiently and traffic rules must be respected.”
ROMAIN KOUAKOU, Director General of the Urban Mobility Authority in Greater Abidjan – Côte d’Ivoire
Experts emphasize the need to remove non-tariff barriers and harmonize customs procedures, which are essential to facilitate intra-African trade, currently representing less than 20% of total regional trade. The goal is clear: to create efficient and secure corridors to support the emergence of a common West African market of 400 million consumers, while mobilizing several billion dollars in investment in the coming years.
