(Ecofin Agency) - The Ivorian transport minister Amadou Koné (pictured) announced the major projects underway in the Transport sector in Côte d'Ivoire will continue, and be intensified in 2021. He said this while presenting his department’s 2021 budget before the parliament last Nov 20.

The official estimates the 2021 budget of his department at a total of CFA57.605 billion (€88 million) to be invested in three big projects: the General Administration program which represents 4% of the budget, the land transport program (56%), and the air program with 40%.

"Compared to last year, this budget has been increased by about 21% to enable us to face the impacts of Covid-19 and revive the transport sector as well as continue important projects," Amadou Koné said.

He also specified that 78% of this budget, or CFA44.932 billion, will be "exclusively reserved for investments." Projects for 2021 include, among others, the completion of work on the Abidjan metro, the rehabilitation, and modernization of five airfields across the country, the professionalization of carriers and drivers, the strengthening of road safety measures, as well as mobility and intelligent traffic management in Abidjan.

Let’s note that the Ministry of Transport's investments in the road sub-sector will complement those of the Ministry of Road Equipment and Maintenance, whose 2021 budget has been validated at CFA595 billion.

Romuald Ngueyap