The African Development Bank Group has approved a €115.66 million loan to fund the second phase of the Cross-border and Agricultural Areas Access Program in Côte d’Ivoire.
The initiative aims to connect isolated farming communities to local and cross-border markets, improve infrastructure, and drive regional trade.
The program targets poor road conditions in Côte d’Ivoire’s border regions, areas rich in agriculture and forestry but cut off from economic opportunities due to inadequate transportation.
Farmers in these regions are often forced to sell their goods at very low prices or risk losing their entire harvest due to a lack of access to major markets.
The loan will be used to construct and rehabilitate major transport corridors, including the Danané-Gbeunta road leading to the Liberian border and the Zuenoula-Kongasso-Mankono agricultural road.
Urban roads along these routes will also be improved in the towns.
These upgrades will enable the easier and quicker transportation of farm produce from remote areas to markets, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and increasing farmers’ earnings.
Cross-border trade with neighbouring countries, such as Ghana and Liberia, is also expected to receive a significant boost.
“This program represents a transformative investment in Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural competitiveness and regional integration,” said Mr. Mike Salawou, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development at the African Development Bank.
“By connecting isolated communities to markets and improving cross-border infrastructure, we create pathways for sustainable economic growth while addressing security challenges in fragile border areas.”
The project also includes investments in the targeted regions’ agricultural processing, storage, and marketing facilities.
These improvements will help farmers reduce waste, improve product value, and increase profits.
The investment supports Côte d’Ivoire’s ongoing economic progress.
The country recorded a GDP growth of 6.1% in 2024, with projections of 6.3% for 2025–2026.
The program is expected to generate employment opportunities for youth and women during construction and create lasting economic benefits.
Improved infrastructure will enable farmers to transport goods more efficiently and safely and enhance security in remote border areas, thereby helping the government maintain stability.
The African Development Bank has significantly increased its support for Côte d’Ivoire, growing its total commitments from €448 million in 2015 to €2.317 billion as of December 2024.
This growth reflects the country’s strong recovery after years of crisis and the success of earlier Bank-supported projects.
