Following Morocco’s 2018 launch of high-speed rail, Ivory Coast is now exploring whether to become Africa’s second nation with a TGV network. The West African country’s leadership has greenlit plans for a 640km high-speed rail link between Abidjan, the economic powerhouse, and Yamoussoukro, the political capital established by former president Félix Houphouët-Boigny. This ambitious infrastructure would dramatically cut travel time between these major cities from nearly three hours by road to just 45 minutes.
The proposed network wouldn’t stop at these two hubs. Future TGV services would extend northward to serve Bouaké—Ivory Coast’s second-largest city—along with Korhogo and Ferkessédougou, creating a comprehensive rail corridor across the nation.
With feasibility and financing studies underway, the project aligns with Ivory Coast’s broader vision for modernization. Government officials see the TGV as more than just transportation—it represents a strategic move to enhance Yamoussoukro’s appeal while easing congestion in Abidjan, where housing costs continue to rise. There’s also strategic consideration given to the project’s potential role in supporting Ivory Coast’s bid to host the 2038 FIFA World Cup, though competition from Morocco—already slated to host in 2030—poses a significant challenge.
Economic boost through enhanced transport infrastructure
Ivory Coast’s government, under Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, has integrated the TGV project into its 2026-2030 National Development Program. This initiative is part of a sweeping $175 billion economic growth plan centered on transport expansion. The broader strategy includes constructing a new metro system for Abidjan by 2029, developing additional highways, and building two new airports—one in San Pedro and another in Bondoukou. President Alassane Ouattara, who has led the country since 2011, envisions these projects as cornerstones of Ivory Coast’s economic and social transformation, with the TGV emerging as a potential symbol of the nation’s modernization journey.