The expansion project of Abidjan port in Cote d’Ivoire, financed by China Eximbank, received a certificate of final acceptance issued by the project owner, marking the due fulfillment of contract. As one of the landmark projects in West Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative, the project will play a significant role in facilitating the economic development of Cote d’Ivoire and the West African region at large.

    Endowed with broad estuary and deep water, Abidjan port is the largest natural harbor in West Africa and provides an important marine gateway for the region’s landlocked countries such as Mali and Niger. In recent years, with the rapid economic growth of Cote d’Ivoire and West Africa, the cargo handling capacity of the port tends to become saturated. With the support of China Eximbank, a modern container terminal and a roll-on roll-off terminal were built, and the original jetties and approach channels were expanded, thus improving both cargo handling capacity and efficiency of the port.

    As the largest inter-governmental collaborative infrastructure project between China and Cote d’Ivoire, the project will help improve the competitiveness of Abidjan port, further solidify Abidjan’s position as a hub port in West Africa, facilitate import and export trade of Cote d’Ivoire and its neighbouring countries by meeting their demands in port capacity, and promote regional economic cooperation and shared development.

    Ever since 1995 when China Eximbank started its business in Cote d’Ivoire, a number of major projects have been financed by the Bank in the country’s port, power grid, highway and other sectors. These projects have significantly improved local infrastructure conditions, created more jobs and promoted the country’s economic and social development. Testifying to the traditional friendship between China and Cote d’Ivoire, these projects have also become indispensable ties connecting the two countries. Going forward, the Bank will further leverage its role to implement the eight major initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, so as to help take the pragmatic cooperation between China and Cote d’Ivoire to a higher level.