On the waters of the Ébrié lagoon, waterbuses could soon count as much as the metro and the BRT. This is what the announcement made on Tuesday, October 20 in Abidjan, suggests, at the opening of the second International Conference on Sustainable Mobility and Climate (CIMDC 2026). In front of more than 1,200 participants from around forty countries, the Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Amadou Koné, revealed European funding. The conference was held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire, under the presidency of Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé. “This aid aims to boost lagoon transport in Abidjan, notably with the construction of 13 lagoon stations and the acquisition of 25 water buses,” said Amadou Koné.

The initiative is part of an approach to ecological transition and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in urban transport in the economic capital. It also responds to network logic. The Government wants to move from a juxtaposition of transport modes to a system where the metro, BRT, buses and the lagoon route complement each other. “Transport infrastructure must no longer just cross the city. It must contribute to organizing the city,” said the Minister. For him, the transition to sustainable mobility is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity. The conference was co-organized by the Urban Mobility Authority in Greater Abidjan (AMUGA), the CODATU association and the NGO Climate Chance.Amadou Koné also recalled that Côte d'Ivoire is ready to strengthen its cooperation with partners, particularly on public transport, infrastructure, digitalization and electromobility.

Note that the implementation schedule remains to be known. If the 13 stations and 25 water buses see the light of day, the lagoon could become a full-fledged link in the mobility of Greater Abidjan.