Port-Bouët’s bustling Rue des Caraïbes has been sealed off to vehicular traffic since Wednesday, July 15, for a period of two and a half months. The closure, mandated by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Road Maintenance, is part of the construction of the deck for a railway bridge on Abidjan’s Metro Line 1. Traffic is expected to resume on September 30.

The project’s official channels and Côte d’Ivoire’s Road Maintenance Agency have urged drivers to adhere to the temporary traffic plan and follow all safety protocols in the construction zone. This temporary halt is a critical step in the tight schedule for completing Abidjan’s first elevated metro line.

a 37.4 km metro line connecting seven districts

Metro Line 1 will stretch 37.4 kilometers, linking Anyama in the northern reaches of the economic capital to Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Port-Bouët to the south. The route cuts through seven districts, promising a transformative shift in urban mobility for Abidjan’s 5.5 million residents.

This fully automated metro system is designed to ferry over 500,000 passengers daily, completing the journey in just 50 minutes—roughly eight times faster than the current average commute during peak hours. The infrastructure includes 18 stations, 24 bridges, a lagoon-spanning viaduct, and 34 pedestrian walkways. By June, civil engineering for the lagoon viaduct was nearly complete, with 12 of the 24 planned bridge decks already installed. The line is slated for inauguration by the end of 2028.

french-led consortium drives the project forward

The Abidjan metro is being built by a French consortium comprising Bouygues Travaux Publics, Alstom, Colas Rail, and Keolis. Bouygues oversees civil engineering and rolling stock supply, while Keolis will manage operations for 15 years post-completion. The total investment nears €1.36 billion, largely financed by France through the French Development Agency and loans from the French Treasury. This makes the Abidjan metro one of France’s largest transport infrastructure investments in West Africa.

addressing Abidjan’s chronic congestion

Abidjan’s coastal district of Port-Bouët is home to the international airport and several industrial zones, yet suffers from severe traffic congestion due to the lack of high-capacity public transport. The new metro aims to alleviate gridlock on key routes and provide a dependable alternative to buses and informal taxis. During construction and operation, the project is expected to generate thousands of local jobs, boosting economic activity in the region.

France’s strategic investment in francophone africa

For Paris, the Abidjan metro represents more than an infrastructure project—it’s a strategic move to reinforce economic and diplomatic influence in Francophone Africa. The venture underscores France’s commitment to funding foundational projects in its former territories, positioning French firms ahead of rivals from China and Turkey.

The project also reflects ongoing debates in France about development aid and the returns on concessional loans. As Abidjan’s first metro line nears completion, its success could pave the way for similar French-backed initiatives in neighboring countries like Senegal and Guinea.

The closure of Rue des Caraïbes marks one of the final critical phases before rail installation and the integration of Alstom’s metro trains across the full route. Work continues at a brisk pace, bringing the city closer to a new era of urban transport.