The bustling Rue des Caraïbes in Port-Bouët, a key artery in southern Abidjan, has been sealed off to all traffic since Wednesday, July 15. This temporary closure, lasting two and a half months, is part of the urgent preparations for the Abidjan Metro Line 1 project. Traffic is scheduled to resume on September 30, allowing construction crews to complete critical infrastructure work.
The closure was announced by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Road Maintenance, which highlighted the necessity of this disruption for the construction of a railway bridge deck integral to the metro line. Motorists are advised to adhere to the revised traffic plan and observe all safety protocols around the construction zone. This phased closure aligns with the tight timeline set for delivering Abidjan’s first elevated metro system.
Connecting seven districts over 37.4 kilometers
Scheduled for completion by late 2028, Line 1 of the Abidjan Metro will stretch 37.4 kilometers, linking Anyama in the north to the Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Port-Bouët. The route passes through seven districts, offering a swift alternative to the city’s notorious traffic congestion. The automated metro is designed to transport over 500,000 passengers daily, cutting travel time to just 50 minutes—roughly eight times faster than the current commute by car during peak hours.
The project encompasses 18 stations, 24 bridges, a lagoon-spanning viaduct, and 34 pedestrian walkways. As of June, civil engineering work on the viaduct was nearly complete, with 12 of the 24 planned bridge decks already in place. The final phase involves installing tracks and Alstom trainsets across the entire route.
French-led consortium drives the project forward
The metro is being built by a French consortium comprising Bouygues Travaux Publics, Alstom, Colas Rail, and Keolis. Bouygues is overseeing civil engineering and rolling stock supply, while Keolis will operate the line for 15 years post-delivery. The total investment hovers around €1.36 billion, largely financed by France through the French Development Agency and loans from the French Treasury. This makes the Abidjan Metro one of the most significant French investments in West African transport infrastructure.
Abidjan’s transport challenges and metro benefits
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. The city grapples with chronic congestion, as its main roads are paralyzed daily by the lack of high-capacity public transport options. The new metro aims to alleviate this strain by providing a fast, reliable alternative to buses and shared taxis. Local employment opportunities are also expected to surge during both construction and operational phases.
Strategic implications for France
From a French perspective, 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 domestic firms compete against rising Chinese and Turkish contractors. The project’s success could set a precedent for similar ventures in neighboring countries like Senegal and Guinea, reinforcing France’s role as a key player in regional development.
The ongoing construction reflects France’s broader approach to development aid and the return on investment from concessionary loans. With the Rue des Caraïbes closure marking one of the final critical phases, the project is rapidly moving toward track laying and train installation.
