(Ecofin Agency) - Construction works for the urban train project in Ivory Coast’s economic capital baptized “métro d’Abidjan” are set to officially begin in November this year, in the presence of French president, Emmanue Macron.

This was disclosed by Ivory Coast’s president himself, Alassane Ouattara, during an official visit in France where he met with his counterpart from the latter, M. Macron, last August 30.

“We have evaluated progress made on the metro project and hope to effectively commence works by the end of next November, during the visit of France’s presidential couple to Cote d’Ivoire,” Ouattara said when he returned from his trip.

The first line of the Abidjan metro, which is to be 37.9km-long, will cost FCFA918.34 billion (about €1.4 billion). It will be fully financed with a French aid. 

Development and operation of the line, which will transport 300,000 passengers per day, are to be carried out by the Société de transport abidjanais sur rail (STAR).

The latter is co-held by French Bouygues (33%), Korean Hyundai Rotem (33%), SNCF’s subsidiary Keolis (25%) and Korean Dongsan Engineering (9%).