Côte d’Ivoire plans high-speed rail link between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro

Following Morocco’s lead in late 2018, Côte d’Ivoire is positioning itself to become the second African nation to launch a high-speed rail service. The West African government has expressed its ambition to develop a high-speed line (TGV) connecting Abidjan, the nation’s economic powerhouse, with Yamoussoukro, the political capital established by former President Félix Houphouët-Boigny.

The proposed 640-kilometer rail corridor would revolutionize domestic travel, reducing the journey between the two major cities to just 45 minutes, a significant improvement over the current three-hour road trip. Future phases of the project envision the high-speed trains continuing northward to serve Bouaké, the country’s second-largest city, as well as Korhogo and Ferkessédougou.

While the project moves into feasibility and financing studies, its objectives extend beyond mere speed. The rail link is designed to enhance the appeal of Yamoussoukro and alleviate the population pressure and high housing costs in Abidjan. Furthermore, the TGV is seen as a strategic asset should the country decide to bid for the 2038 FIFA World Cup, despite the competitive landscape of international sports hosting.

Driving economic growth through transport infrastructure

This rail initiative is a cornerstone of a massive €175 billion economic growth strategy centered on transport infrastructure. Integrated into the 2026-2030 National Development Program by the government of Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, the project sits alongside other major works. These include the Abidjan metro slated for 2029, the expansion of the national highway network by a thousand kilometers, and the construction of new airports in San Pedro and Bondoukou.

For President Alassane Ouattara, who has led the country since 2011, these infrastructure milestones—and the prospective high-speed train—serve as powerful symbols of Côte d’Ivoire’s ongoing economic and social transformation.