Côte d'Ivoire will benefit from a $147 million loan granted by the International Development Association (IDA) to implement water and sanitation projects. A decree ratifying the loan agreement was adopted last week by the country's government.
The project will improve the quality of water supply services and access to water in 12 urban areas across the country. New water reservoirs, boreholes, and water treatment plants will be built in Tiassalé, N'Douci, N'Zianouan, Agboville, Korhogo, Ferkessédougou, Bingerville, Béoumi, Issia, Dabou, Niakara, and Songon. With this project, the government wants to improve production capacity and remedy deficits.
The initiative also aims to extend distribution networks and implement a program of 21,000 social connections. The World Bank estimates that 56% of Côte d'Ivoire's population lives in urban areas while urban growth remains high at 5% per year. This growth is expected to increase water needs in the coming years, particularly in Abidjan, the country's economic capital and most populous city.
Moutiou Adjibi Nourou