In a sprawling metropolis where millions once spent hours navigating congested streets, Maxime Prévot, Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, witnessed on May 27 how strategic investment can reshape a city's destiny.
His tour of the Abidjan Urban Transport Project (PTUA), visiting the 4th bridge construction phases, toll systems, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure, demonstrated how the largest infrastructure undertaking in the African Development Bank's Côte d'Ivoire portfolio exemplifies the transformative power of multilateral development partnerships.
As Belgium's Governor to the African Development Bank and a key contributor to the African Development Fund (ADF), Minister Prévot's visit represented more than diplomatic protocol. It showcased how member state investments through the ADF translate into tangible improvements for millions of Africans.
Minister Prévot was accompanied by African Development Bank leadership, including Lamin Barrow, Director General for West Africa; Joseph Ribeiro, Deputy Director General for West Africa and Country Manager for Côte d'Ivoire; Blanche Kinnifo, Country Project Officer; and Philippe Munyaruyenzi, PTUA Project Coordinator. This high-level representation underscored Belgium's strategic engagement as both a founding African Development Bank member state and significant ADF contributor.
The three-hour tour began at Adjamé Town Hall, showcasing PTUA's comprehensive urban transformation. At PC 23, the delegation observed the critical transition between project phases of the 4th bridge construction. The tour continued to the bridge toll system, the second interchange featuring integrated BRT infrastructure, and concluded at Wassakara market, illustrating how improved connectivity benefits local commerce.
The PTUA represents unprecedented investment scale, with total funding of €693 million across multiple development partners. The African Development Bank provides €567.7 million (74% of financing), with JICA contributing €118.76 million and GEF adding €6.4 million. This coordinated approach, approved in two phases between 2016-2018, exemplifies the development partner collaboration that Belgium champions through its ADF support.
The project's scope extends far beyond the iconic 1,400-meter 4th bridge that has reduced travel time between Yopougon and the Plateau from three hours to 10-20 minutes. PTUA encompasses 88 kilometers of express highways that opened in 2024, 89 renovated intersections improving traffic flow and safety, and integrated BRT lanes connecting Yopougon and Bingerville through World Bank financing.
Minister Prévot witnessed PTUA's environmental achievements, including 904,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions avoided annually from 2024 and 82,000 trees planted throughout Abidjan to capture vehicle CO2 emissions. The project's social dimension impressed equally, with 526 well-equipped housing units for relocated persons and four multifunctional centers generating income for over 3,000 women through small production enterprises.
For Belgium, committed to sustainable African development, PTUA crystallizes how strategic partnerships create lasting transformation. The project demonstrates that member state contributions through the ADF can catalyze comprehensive urban development that improves millions of lives while supporting environmental sustainability.
Standing amid Abidjan's transformed urban landscape, Minister Prévot witnessed Belgium's development philosophy made manifest: strategic investments that create foundations for sustained economic growth, improved quality of life, and environmental sustainability benefiting generations of Ivorians. Through PTUA, Belgium's commitment to African development has helped write a new chapter in West African urban transformation.
Source: AfDB