The 7,000-hectare development, planned for the Abidjan-Anyama road, has been on hold for six years awaiting government approval.
Sophia, CEO Toure Ahmed Bouah, expressed his frustration at a press conference on July 18th, 2024. “We’re still waiting for the State to approve the development plan by ministerial decree,” he stated.
The National Office for Technical Studies and Development (BNETD), a state-owned consultancy firm, completed the development plan encompassing 42 sub-projects. Despite this, Bouah says the plan has been left in limbo for years.
The Ministry of Construction, responding to inquiries from the project developers, offered some assurance. A spokesperson stated that the ministry is “currently studying the relevance of the proposed development plan” in alignment with urban planning regulations and national ambitions.
Obtaining the green light for the development plan is crucial for the project to move forward. This would allow for laying roads, installing utilities, and initiating construction, transforming the area into a bustling new city.
“Since 2008, we’ve invested 83 billion CFA francs in design, management, and development costs for Akwaba City,” Bouah highlighted.
Akwaba City is a cornerstone of the Greater Abidjan master plan, a comprehensive development strategy for the region encompassing Jacqueville, Dabou, and Songon. This ambitious plan aims to expand Abidjan’s footprint to 365,000 hectares, significantly surpassing its current size of approximately 65,000 hectares.
“The entrusted land area of 7,000 hectares is equivalent to Yopougon in size,” Bouah emphasized, comparing it to other major districts within Abidjan.
Akwaba City, envisioned as a smart city, aims to house a population of 3 million upon completion. Key features include an economic zone with dedicated housing for traders, a designated area exceeding 1,000 hectares for the military, a wholesale market, and essential social and economic infrastructure.
This project represents a unique undertaking in Côte d’Ivoire. It’s the first time such a vast expanse of land has been entrusted to a private developer for comprehensive development and subsequent marketing to investors and private operators.
The new city is also intended to alleviate the pressure on Abidjan, a metropolis of 6.5 million inhabitants currently grappling with uncontrolled urban sprawl. Akwaba City offers a solution for planned development, addressing infrastructure and housing needs before rapid construction begins.
Bouah views Akwaba City as a groundbreaking opportunity, highlighting the government’s growing reliance on private sector involvement in land development projects, a trend that began in 1997. However, the project’s future hinges on overcoming the current bureaucratic hurdle and securing the necessary government approval.
AP/Sf/fss/abj/APA