The World Bank has launched the technical study phase for a major rural road rehabilitation project in northern Côte d’Ivoire, targeting improved connectivity in the Kabadougou and Folon regions.
Engineering firm CGECTRA has been appointed to carry out the studies and prepare bidding documents under a contract worth about 83.3 million CFA francs (approximately US$148,750).
Ambitious nationwide programme
The initiative forms part of the Inclusive Connectivity and Rural Infrastructure Project, a multi-phase programme aimed at rehabilitating and maintaining around 15,000 kilometres of rural roads and related infrastructure across 11 regions.
The World Bank said the overarching goal is to ensure that at least 90 percent of the population lives within five kilometres of an all-weather road, a benchmark seen as critical for inclusive development.
The programme targets improved year-round access to schools and healthcare facilities in regions including Bafing, Bagoué, Béré, Bounkani, Folon, Gontougo, Hambol, Kabadougou, Poro, Tchologo and Worodougou.
In several of these areas, more than half the population currently travels over five kilometres—sometimes up to 10 kilometres, often on foot—to reach a usable road. The situation constrains economic activity and limits access to essential services, particularly for rural communities dependent on agriculture.
Economic and social impact
The project is expected to deliver broad development gains, including reduced travel times, improved market access for agricultural produce and faster emergency response times. Enhanced road access is also expected to strengthen links between rural health centres and referral hospitals, improving patient outcomes.
Beyond immediate mobility benefits, the programme aims to support the emergence of local economic hubs by improving connectivity between rural production zones and urban markets.
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The initiative builds on ongoing infrastructure investments in Côte d’Ivoire. In urban areas, projects such as the Abidjan Urban Transport Project have delivered major assets, including new bridges and interchanges to ease congestion in the commercial capital.
Meanwhile, the Road Maintenance Programme, implemented by Agence de Gestion des Routes (AGEROUTE), is rehabilitating more than 27,000 kilometres of dirt roads nationwide between 2023 and 2025.
Côte d’Ivoire’s road network currently spans more than 82,000 kilometres, highlighting the scale of infrastructure required to support inclusive growth. The latest rural roads initiative underscores the government’s focus on extending connectivity to underserved regions, with support from international partners.
