River and lagoon transport has been provided since the 1980s by the Abidjan Transport Company (SOTRA) and by private "pinasses." However, since 2015, to strengthen urban transport, the Government decided to lift the exclusivity of the lagoon waterway that SOTRA held.

Thus, the State established concession agreements with two new lagoon transport companies, namely the Lagoon Transport Company (STL) and the Ivorian Lagoon Transport Company (CITRANS).

The effective start of operations of these two new entities in 2017 allowed lagoon transport to take on a new dimension in transportation in Abidjan. Indeed, the recent development of the sector has improved the mobility of the population and reduced travel times.

The number of passengers transported by these three entities increased from 8.4 million in 2017 to 16.7 million in 2022, representing an average annual growth of 14.8%.

Evolution of total passenger traffic by river and lagoon transport (in number)

Source: Ministry of Transport

Alongside the activities of these three licensed operators, "pinasses" operate in a craft manner daily in Abidjan, handling a significant passenger traffic and a notable freight traffic. This traffic is managed by about thirty lines, under conditions of comfort and safety that are precarious. Beyond the Abidjan district, other "pinasses" and "tines" facilitate intercity and even interstate transport on the Aby and Ebrié lagoons. This mode of transport is favored by the populations of the lagoon areas stretching from the Ghana border to the city of Grand-Lahou.

In terms of prospects, to ensure the good dynamics of the lagoon transport sector, the following is planned:

• the construction of 23 new terminals, a shipyard, and the acquisition of 150 new high-capacity water buses to meet the growing demand, in accordance with the commitments of the agreement between the operators and the State, at a cost of 233 billion CFA francs;
• the development of a strategy to attract the middle class (transport via lagoon for people with vehicles); and
• the provision of additional services at the terminals (catering, cyber café, banking services, etc.).