Côte d’Ivoire – Director General of Abidjan Port Aims to Preserve Port Land Reserves to Support Growth

The Director General of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan (PAA), Yacouba Hien Sié, stated on Friday, September 5, 2025, in Abidjan, that the current priority of the port authority is to preserve its land reserves to ensure the future development of the port platform.

“The goal is to be more resourceful than others by reserving spaces for the future of the port. It is true that we would like to see houses everywhere, but unlike residential areas which can be moved, the port cannot be relocated elsewhere. Our primary interest is therefore to protect these land reserves,” he said.

During a press conference announcing the 75th anniversary celebration of the PAA, scheduled for September 11-12, Hien Sié highlighted that one of the major challenges remains the congestion of the port. He regretted that in many African countries, port development was not anticipated, which has led to urban encroachment on port areas.

According to him, the lack of available land within the port confines forces some industries to set up in PK24, a remote area, resulting in higher logistics costs. “Normally, port and peri-port areas should have spaces to accommodate industries and promote business creation,” he explained.

The PAA Director General indicated that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Urban Planning regarding the development and protection of port land reserves, estimated at around 3,000 hectares. These lands notably include Boulay Island, which is already inhabited and difficult to access, as well as the Western strip towards Vridi Ako, which is also occupied.

“Taking all this into account, we have about 3,000 hectares of port land reserves,” he specified.

Among future prospects are improving port access, decongesting port and peri-port areas, and strengthening connectivity with production and consumption zones at the national level and in hinterland countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger).

The event also provided an opportunity to trace the history of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan from 1950 to 2025, present its missions, showcase its evolution between 2012 and 2025, and highlight the impact of investments on traffic.

The Autonomous Port of Abidjan is a vital asset for Côte d’Ivoire, with its weight in the national economy estimated in 2024 at 75.23% (by volume) of total external trade, 78.08% of customs revenues, and 42.31% of the country’s industrial units.