Côte d’Ivoire–Japan Cooperation: Minister of State Nialé KABA and Japanese Ambassador Sign Grant Agreement of 1.6 Billion Yen for Road Maintenance in Abidjan

The Governments of Japan and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire signed an economic cooperation agreement on Friday, February 20, 2026, providing a grant of 1.618 billion yen (approximately 6.5 billion CFA francs) for the Road Maintenance Equipment Improvement Project in Greater Abidjan.

The signing ceremony was co-chaired by H.E. Nialé KABA, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representing the Ivorian Government, and H.E. GOMAKUBO Junji, Ambassador of Japan to Côte d’Ivoire. Mr. HIEN Sié, Minister of Infrastructure and Road Maintenance, also attended this important meeting.

This funding, implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to strengthen road maintenance capacities through the acquisition of modern equipment and services.

In his speech, Minister of State Nialé KABA expressed the Ivorian Government’s deep gratitude for this ongoing support, reaffirming Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to ensure rigorous and transparent implementation of this major project.

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador highlighted the strategic importance of this grant, designed to improve traffic flow and logistics in Greater Abidjan. He emphasized that this project continues Japan’s cooperation in infrastructure, exemplified notably by the Japan–Côte d’Ivoire Friendship Bridge, “Shinzo Abe.”

Finally, he reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to promoting high-quality infrastructure and strengthening bilateral cooperation, expressing the hope that this initiative will further consolidate the bonds of friendship between the two nations.