Abidjan’s urban transformation: charting a sustainable future for Côte d’Ivoire

Facing relentless demographic expansion, Greater Abidjan is undergoing an extensive structural overhaul. Through significant infrastructure projects and comprehensive housing initiatives, Ivorian authorities are implementing a strategic sectoral approach designed to establish modern, organized, and secure urban planning by the year 2030.

Côte d’Ivoire’s robust demographic growth is positioning the nation at the forefront of West Africa’s urban transition. Projections from the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) indicate that Côte d’Ivoire is set to become the most urbanized country in the region by 2030, with an urbanization rate surpassing 58%. This rapid acceleration is evident on the ground: a sectoral analysis by the engineering firm BEPCO, leveraging figures from the Ministry of Construction, reveals an 18% year-on-year increase in the value of building permits issued across Greater Abidjan. To manage this expansion and mitigate the severe impact of urban congestion—a burden estimated by the executive to cost up to 5% of national income—Parliament approved a 2026 budget of 123.2 billion FCFA for the Ministry of Construction. This significant investment forms a core part of the National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030, aimed at forging a modernized metropolis seamlessly integrated with the rest of the country.

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