By Maria Kalamatas | The Logistic News – EchoChain Section

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – May 19, 2025

“Expanding our reach beyond the port allows us to unlock the full potential of regional trade — and reduce pressure on coastal infrastructure.”
— Asta-Rosa Cissé, Regional Director, Africa Global Logistics

Beyond the Port: A New Model for Regional Logistics

Ivory Coast is positioning itself at the heart of West African trade with a bold new plan to extend its logistics capabilities well beyond the coastline. In a move that blends supply chain efficiency with regional inclusiveness, Africa Global Logistics (AGL) has announced a €60 million investment aimed at building inland logistics hubs over the next five years.

The initiative will support the creation of modern warehousing and transport facilities in Ferkessédougou, Bouaké, and San Pedro, designed to decongest Abidjan’s bustling port and offer direct trade solutions to landlocked neighbors like Burkina Faso and Mali.

Relieving Port Pressure, Accelerating Growth

The Port of Abidjan has experienced significant growth since 2022, with traffic projections for 2025 suggesting an increase of more than 50% year-over-year, reaching 1.8 million TEUs. The surge is driven by expanded container terminal capacity and new direct routes connecting Ivory Coast to Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

While this growth is promising, it has also raised concerns about congestion, delays, and urban pressure on the capital. The inland expansion aims to rebalance cargo flows, reducing truck traffic in Abidjan and cutting dwell times for exporters.

“We can’t scale regional trade if everything funnels through one port,” noted a senior advisor at the Ministry of Transport.

A Strategic Step Toward Sustainable Trade

The creation of inland hubs also responds to broader sustainability goals. By relocating warehousing and cooling infrastructure closer to agricultural zones, the country hopes to reduce spoilage, improve cold chain resilience, and cut transport emissions.

The investment will also support rural economies, especially for key exports like cocoa, cashew, bananas, and cotton. Farmers and cooperatives will benefit from better access to international markets, while logistics providers can build more predictable supply networks.

In addition, the initiative is aligned with the government’s strategy to transform Ivory Coast into a logistics gateway for all of West Africa — not just as a port state, but as a landbridge economy.

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