The World Bank has approved on June 2, the provision of a $120 million facility to the Ivoirian state, reveals a statement from the institution. The funds should help finance the programme for infrastructure projects for urban development and improving the competitiveness of secondary cities (PIDUCAS).

Developed to create an environment that will make more attractive some of the country’s cities, the project will, according to Ivorian authorities, start in Bouaké and San Pedro, respectively second and third most competitive urban agglomerations among the 14 district capitals across the nation.

“…a new solidarity-focused development model, involving the modernization of secondary cities, must be developed and it should help boost investment, growth and reduce poverty across the country. The emergence of these secondary urban centres is one of the priorities of the new national plan for development adopted by authorities for 2016-20,” said Pierre Laporte, head of World Bank’s operations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Furthermore, the funds necessary for the project will be provided by the International Development Association (IDA), World Bank’s arm providing aid to the poorest countries.

Fiacre E. Kakpo