Ivory Coast - Port of Abidjan Rises as a Regional Hub with Record Growth and Global Partnerships

In 2024, the Port of Abidjan experienced remarkable growth, handling 1.6 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) nearly doubling the 840,926 TEUs processed in 2022. This surge contributed to a 15% annual increase in overall traffic, reaching 40 million tons compared to 34.7 million tons in 2023.

A significant factor in this expansion is the inauguration of the "Côte d’Ivoire Terminal" in November 2022 managed by AGL (formerly Bolloré Africa Logistics), a subsidiary of MSC. This management has attracted shipping companies that prefer ports where their affiliates operate, giving Abidjan a competitive advantage. This second container terminal, with an annual capacity of 1.5 million TEUs and a 16-meter draft, enables the port to accommodate larger vessels, such as the MSC ALIYA, which has a capacity of 14,300 TEUs. The port is now approaching the throughput levels of West Africa’s

leading container ports, Lomé and Tema, which handled 1.91 million and 1.9 million TEUs, respectively, in 2023 and 2024.

To further enhance port infrastructure and address congestion, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized a workshop on January 10, 2025, in Abidjan. The event focused on developing port infrastructure and decongesting Ivorian ports. Attendees included representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Ivorian port authorities, and members of the Abidjan Port Community. The workshop highlighted Japanese-funded projects, such as the new Grain Terminal, operational since May 2023. It allows the port to accommodate bulk carriers with a 13.5-meter draft and a capacity of 70,000 tons, doubling the previous capacity.

Representatives from Japanese companies expressed interest in contributing to the development of Côte d’Ivoire’s port and road infrastructure. On January 11, 2025, a Japanese delegation, led by Minister of State FURUKAWA Yasushi, visited the Port of Abidjan to assess completed infrastructure projects, including the Grain Terminal, evaluating its operational effectiveness.

These developments position the Port of Abidjan as a growing hub in West Africa, enhancing its capacity to handle increased maritime traffic and fostering economic growth in the region.

A ECTN (Electronic Cargo Tracking Note) is mandatory for all shipments to Ivory Coast. Please note that a new restriction has been introduced for the certification process. The R&C Desk simplifies the process and provides efficient assistance to comply with the latest requirements. ​
 
For further assistance, the R&C Desk website is available 24/7.