• IsDB approved €200 million for Abidjan’s urban transport upgrade, focused on the Yopougon–Bingerville corridor.
• Project includes a 20 km BRT line, transit system upgrades, and informal transport reform.
• Aims to ease congestion, boost access, and support low-carbon mobility.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved €200 million (approximately $234 million USD) in financing for the Abidjan Integrated and Sustainable Urban Mobility Project (PMUA). The project, already underway, aims to fundamentally modernize the city’s public transport system. Its focus is on reducing urban congestion, improving accessibility, and promoting environmentally friendly transport.

Côte d'Ivoire will benefit from a major #IsDB investment of EUR 200 million in the Abidjan Urban Mobility Project, a transformative initiative that will:
? Enhance sustainable transport,
? Ease congestion, &
? Improve access to jobs and services.

Read More:?… pic.twitter.com/11R5vX5XVb

— IsDB Group (@isdb_group) July 7, 2025

According to the bank, the funds are specifically intended to enhance transport efficiency along the Yopougon–Bingerville corridor and its feeder lines. These funds are part of a participatory mechanism involving multiple technical and financial partners, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the French Development Agency (AFD).

The project is built around four main components. First is the development of a high-capacity bus rapid transit (BRT) line covering 20 kilometers. This line will link Yopougon, the most populous municipality in western Abidjan, to Bingerville on the eastern outskirts, via Plateau, the city’s business hub. This corridor is expected to significantly ease traffic on this strategic route.

Second is the strengthening of the Abidjan Transport Company (SOTRA) and the restructuring of feeder systems to optimize connections between mass transit lines and local routes. Third, the project involves reorganizing the informal transport segment, with targeted support for renewing the fleet of minibuses and taxis, which is currently dominated by aging and unsafe vehicles.

The final component includes human capital development and operational support. This involves training programs, management initiatives, and modernization of transport sector monitoring tools. Like many large African cities, Abidjan faces a chronic shortfall in urban mobility infrastructure.

A 2019 World Bank note, "The Challenge of Urban Mobility in Abidjan," found that Abidjan’s poorest residents using public transportation spend an average of 20% to 30% of their income and 200 minutes daily on travel or waiting. The institution also noted that the lack of mobility options across the Abidjan metropolitan area results in losses of up to 4-5% in public revenues for Côte d’Ivoire.

By facilitating access to workplaces, social services, and educational institutions, the PMUA also contributes to the transition toward low-carbon mobility, while improving working conditions for transport operators.

Henoc Dossa