Following Morocco’s launch of its high-speed train in late 2018, Côte d’Ivoire is now poised to potentially become the second nation on the African continent to operate a similar service. The West African government is pursuing an ambitious project to build a high-speed rail line connecting Abidjan, the country’s economic hub, with Yamoussoukro, the political capital established by former president Félix Houphouët-Boigny in his birthplace. This proposed 640-kilometer line would revolutionize travel, cutting the journey between the two cities from nearly three hours by road to a mere 45 minutes. The vision extends further, with plans for the high-speed trains to continue northward, servicing key cities such as Bouaké, the nation’s second-largest city, as well as Korhogo and Ferkessédougou.
The project is currently undergoing feasibility and financing studies. Its strategic goals include elevating the prominence of Yamoussoukro and relieving congestion in Abidjan, where the cost of living and housing is notably high. Furthermore, the high-speed train is seen as a crucial asset should the country decide to bid for the 2038 FIFA World Cup. However, its prospects for hosting the major sporting event are considered limited, especially since Morocco will represent Africa as a host in 2030.
Driving economic growth through transport infrastructure
This high-speed rail initiative is a cornerstone of a massive €175 billion economic growth strategy heavily focused on transportation. The government of Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé has integrated this project into its National Development Program for 2026-2030. Other significant infrastructure works under this plan include the new Abidjan metro system, slated for completion in 2029, the development of new roads, and the construction of a thousand kilometers of motorways. The program also features the establishment of two new airports in San Pedro in the southwest and Bondoukou in the northeast. For President Alassane Ouattara, who has led the country since 2011, these developments, with the TGV as a potential flagship, are powerful symbols of Côte d’Ivoire’s economic and social modernization.