• Côte d’Ivoire secures 35 billion CFA loan for MRO center

• Facility to service Air Côte d’Ivoire and regional airlines

• Project aims to cut reliance on foreign maintenance services 

Côte d’Ivoire has secured a loan of 35 billion CFA francs ($61.1 million) to build an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center. The project reflects a broader trend among West African countries seeking greater self-sufficiency in aviation maintenance.

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) approved the financing on Friday, March 27. The funds will enable Air Côte d’Ivoire to establish facilities at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan to service its own fleet as well as other airlines operating in the sub-region.

Côte d’Ivoire joins Senegal and Nigeria, which have made notable progress in developing similar infrastructure. These projects aim to gradually reduce local airlines’ reliance on foreign service providers, particularly for heavy maintenance, which is still largely carried out outside Africa.

In Senegal, facilities under development at Blaise Diagne Airport are expected to offer a full range of maintenance services, from Check A to Check D, according to AIBD SA. Once operational, they will service the Air Senegal fleet as well as other continental carriers.

In Nigeria, projects are driven largely by private sector players. These include the Aero Contractors center, which provides maintenance services to airlines, charter operators, and private jet owners despite its limited capacity. Air Peace, the country’s leading carrier, also broke ground for its future center in September 2025.

Other private operators such as United Nigeria and Ibom Air, along with the federal government, have also announced similar projects.

The project supports the airline’s diversification and expansion plans. Air Côte d’Ivoire aims to acquire 14 medium-haul and six long-haul Airbus aircraft by 2028. This expansion is likely to increase operational constraints, which the company aims to manage more effectively while reducing operating costs.

According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria spends more than $2.5 billion annually on overseas fleet maintenance. Beyond West Africa, several MRO centers already operate on the continent, including those run by Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, EgyptAir, and Royal Air Maroc.

The development of MRO centers raises questions about their viability. Given the fragmented market, the availability of a skilled workforce and sufficient activity volumes will be critical to ensuring profitability.

The success of these projects and the region’s push for greater independence in aviation maintenance will depend on the ability of states and airlines to pool resources, harmonize regulatory frameworks, and build robust industrial ecosystems.

Henoc Dossa