Abidjan is taking an important step towards modernising urban transport with the construction of its first metro line. Designed to connect seven municipalities across Côte d’Ivoire’s economic hub, the project aims to improve mobility, reduce pressure on busy roads and make it easier for residents to access jobs, businesses and essential services.
Two recent milestones have brought the project into focus. On 8 October 2026, the Société Ivoirienne de Construction du Métro d’Abidjan announced the completion of a 372-metre railway viaduct linking Plateau and Treichville across the Ébrié Lagoon. In September, five locomotives weighing a combined 332.28 tonnes were transported from the Port of Abidjan to the Abobo-Sagbé depot for use on the construction project. These developments mark tangible progress towards delivering a major piece of urban infrastructure.
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Connecting a Growing City
Abidjan Metro Line 1 is planned as a 37-kilometre electric railway connecting Anyama in the north with Port-Bouët in the south, including the airport corridor. The route will pass through seven municipalities and feature 18 stations, providing a high-capacity transport link across residential, commercial and administrative areas.
Construction is being undertaken by the STAR consortium, comprising Bouygues Travaux Publics, Colas Rail, Alstom and Keolis. The project is designed to accommodate more than 500,000 passenger journeys daily, although this represents planned capacity rather than actual ridership.
The metro’s delivery schedule has changed several times since construction began in December 2022. Project information published by the construction consortium lists September 2028 as the expected delivery date, while other project reporting points to commissioning in early 2029. The latest schedule will depend on the completion of remaining works, railway systems installation, testing and operational preparations.
The €1.77 billion project is supported by French financing arrangements. Its scale reflects the investment required to build a modern mass-transit system capable of serving a rapidly expanding urban population.
Addressing Abidjan’s Transport Challenge
The metro responds to a pressing economic and social challenge. Abidjan’s growth has increased demand for transport, while road congestion and the uneven availability of affordable public services continue to affect daily life.
World Bank research has documented the cost of these mobility challenges. An earlier assessment estimated that residents collectively spent more than three hours commuting daily on average, while transport-related expenditure and lost time represented approximately 4–5 per cent of Côte d’Ivoire’s gross domestic product in 2017.
The World Bank has also highlighted the importance of walking and informal transport services, including gbaka minibuses and woro-woro shared taxis, in meeting residents’ daily travel needs. Although these services provide essential connections, congestion, uneven route coverage and vehicle maintenance challenges can affect reliability and safety.
A high-capacity railway could help ease pressure along Abidjan’s busiest north–south corridor. By offering a more predictable journey for some commuters, it could improve access to workplaces, markets, educational institutions and public services.
For businesses, more reliable transport can also widen access to workers and customers. Reducing the time lost in traffic could help improve productivity and make it easier for people living in peripheral neighbourhoods to participate in the city’s economic life.
Making Mass Transit Accessible
The metro’s success will depend on more than the completion of its tracks and stations. Residents must be able to reach stations conveniently, afford fares and connect easily with other forms of transport.
Existing minibuses, shared taxis and conventional bus services remain important to Abidjan’s transport network. Coordinating these services with the metro could improve first- and last-mile connections, allowing commuters to complete journeys that begin or end far from a station.
Fare policy will also matter. If the service is too expensive for low-income households, some of the residents most affected by congestion may be unable to benefit fully. Accessible pedestrian routes, safe station environments and reliable feeder services will therefore be important components of an inclusive transport system.
The metro is also part of a wider effort to expand mass transit in Abidjan, alongside plans for a bus rapid transit corridor linking Yopougon and Bingerville. Developing these systems as a connected network could help the city move towards a more integrated and efficient public transport model.
Supporting Sustainable Urban Development
An electric railway offers an opportunity to improve urban transport efficiency and potentially reduce emissions per passenger compared with journeys made in private vehicles. The extent of these benefits will depend on electricity generation, passenger numbers and whether commuters shift from less efficient transport options.
Long-term operational planning will be equally important. Rail systems require sustained investment in maintenance, power, safety, staffing and equipment replacement. Reliable services depend on these requirements being adequately funded after construction ends.
Transparent reporting on project costs, construction milestones, fares and eventual passenger numbers will help residents assess the benefits of the investment. Measuring journey-time changes and the accessibility of employment centres will also show whether the metro is delivering on its development objectives.
A Milestone for African Urban Mobility
Abidjan Metro Line 1 represents a significant investment in Côte d’Ivoire’s transport infrastructure and an important development in the modernisation of African cities. Its planned route and capacity respond to the practical needs of a growing metropolitan economy where congestion can limit access to opportunities.
The project also offers lessons for other African cities confronting similar challenges. Modern transport infrastructure can support productivity and improve quality of life, but its impact depends on affordable services, effective planning and integration with the wider urban environment.
As construction advances towards completion, the central measure of success will be how effectively the metro serves Abidjan’s residents and businesses. If supported by reliable operations and accessible connections, the project could help make daily journeys more predictable, strengthen economic participation and contribute to a more connected urban future for Côte d’Ivoire.
