Côte d’Ivoire: Assahoré Konan Announces April 2026 Completion for Grand-Lahou Coastal Protection Project

Grand-Lahou(Grand-Lahou, southern Côte d'Ivoire), June 28, 2025 – Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Transition, Jacques Assahoré Konan, along with a delegation from the World Bank led by Ousmane Diagana, Regional Vice President for West and Central Africa, visited the coastal stabilization project in Lahou-Kpanda, part of the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA) funded by the World Bank.

This field visit was part of the project's monitoring and evaluation schedule jointly established by key stakeholders.

Minister Assahoré Konan praised the significant progress made on the project since his last visit four months ago:

“If all goes well, the project will be completed by April 2026. That’s our target, and based on the current pace of work, we believe it’s achievable. We are already pleased with the progress,” he stated.

He emphasized the urgency of addressing coastal erosion, citing Lahou-Kpanda as a striking example:

“An entire village has practically vanished due to the advancing sea. Recognizing the urgency, President Alassane Ouattara called on the World Bank to help tackle the root of the problem — the Bandama River estuary.”

🛠️ A Project of National Importance

Once completed, the project will improve lagoon navigation, boost artisanal fishing, and enhance living conditions for communities in five villages around the Bandama River’s mouth. The total cost is estimated at 33 billion CFA francs (approximately $54 million USD), a critical investment the Ivorian government is determined to protect.

“We cannot mobilize such resources and then allow the project to be abandoned. Measures are in place to ensure its sustainability. This project will serve as a model for other coastal protection efforts in Côte d’Ivoire,” added the Minister.

He also noted the national scale of the issue, with 560 kilometers of coastline impacted by varying degrees of erosion — notably in Lahou-Kpanda, Port-Bouët, and Grand-Bassam — stressing that the government is working with partners to ensure comprehensive coastal protection.

 A Regional Vision, Long-Term Commitment

World Bank Vice President Ousmane Diagana welcomed the joint efforts of the Ivorian government and the World Bank:

“This project fits into a regional strategy to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities while supporting sustainable economic activities.”

Despite initial delays, collaborative efforts have helped bring the project back on track. Diagana reiterated the World Bank’s long-term commitment to fighting coastal erosion across West Africa:

“This is a long-term issue, and the World Bank remains fully engaged alongside Côte d’Ivoire and other coastal countries.”

 A Technical and Economic Transformation

Jean-Baptiste Kassi, WACA Project Coordinator, explained that the plan involves closing the current river mouth and opening a new one using marine-based technology. The new outlet will feature reinforced structures, especially on the unstable western bank:

“If we can stabilize the western bank, we believe the surrounding villages will be safe.”

Kassi revealed that the project is currently 33% complete, with just 2.5 meters separating the encroaching sea from the historic Catholic church, the village’s last colonial-era landmark.

Ali Sissoko, Mayor of Grand-Lahou, also expressed satisfaction with the project's progress, noting its potential beyond environmental protection:

“In addition to protecting infrastructure, this project is a powerful tourism and economic catalyst, with new recreational spaces and leisure zones planned.”