• SEA-Invest is investing nearly CFA20 billion to modernize the mineral terminal at Abidjan’s port.

• The upgrades aim to handle rising flows of gypsum, clinker, and other mineral bulk cargo.

• The move also positions Abidjan as a logistics hub for regional mining exports, including Malian lithium.

SEA-Invest, the concessionaire of the mineral terminal at the Port of Abidjan, has launched an investment program of nearly CFA20 billion (around $35 million) to modernize its facilities and strengthen the handling of mineral bulk cargo. The initiative is designed in part to support the rising flows generated by mining activities.

The operator plans to acquire two new barges with greater capacity than those currently in service, along with two hoppers equipped with dust-capture systems to unload raw materials used by the cement industry. A first wave of equipment has already been delivered, including cranes valued at around CFA8 billion. These machines will increase the loading and unloading capacity for bulk carriers transporting products such as gypsum, limestone, and clinker.

Positioning for national and regional mining flows

The investment reflects the strong growth of Côte d’Ivoire’s mining sector. Over the past decade, the sector’s contribution to GDP has risen from around 1% to 5%, while accounting for about 13% of national exports.

The project also anticipates growing regional mining flows, particularly as Mali emerges as a lithium exporter. Several companies operating in the landlocked Sahelian country are preparing to move their projects into production and are already considering the Port of Abidjan as their main maritime gateway.

Chinese group Ganfeng Lithium, which began exporting lithium concentrate between May and June 2025, has already indicated that it selected the Ivorian port as the logistics hub for its shipments.

SEA-Invest has managed two terminals at the Port of Abidjan since 2009—a fruit terminal and a mineral terminal—under a concession agreement. The partnership forms part of Côte d’Ivoire’s broader strategy to expand and modernize its port infrastructure in order to support growing trade flows and industrial activity.

Henoc Dossa