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 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 17.7 million in 2023, representing an average annual growth of 13.2%.

In accordance with the commitments of the State contained in the agreements with the companies, a development program for lagoon transport has been developed, which includes the following components:

• the construction of 25 new terminals, a shipyard, and the acquisition of 150 new high-capacity water buses;

• the development of a strategy to attract the middle class (transport via lagoon for people with vehicles) through the construction of access roads to lagoon terminals and park-and-ride facilities;

• the provision of additional services at the terminals (catering, cyber café, banking services, etc.).

• the dredging and marking of navigable waterways between Bingerville and Songon, as well as secondary arms (80 km);

• the rehabilitation of the lagoon terminals in Abobo-Doumé and Plateau.

The dredging and marking of navigable waterways between Bingerville and Songon (including secondary routes) as well as the rehabilitation of the lagoon terminals in Abobo-Doumé and Plateau began in 2023.

However, the companies operating in lagoon transport are facing enormous difficulties in carrying out their activities due, among other reasons, to the unavailability of the majority of their boats damaged by the lagoon bed, which consists of sandy deposits and used tires. The company CITRANS has even ceased operations since the end of 2023.

In light of this situation, discussions between the State and the aforementioned companies are ongoing to revise the concession agreements.

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

Source : Ministry of Transport

Evolution of passenger traffic by river and lagoon transport

Sources : SOTRA, CITRANS, and STL

Alongside the activities of these three contracted operators, pinasses provide a significant daily transport service for passengers and a considerable amount of goods in Abidjan.

The passenger traffic by this means of transport increased from 13,558,998 in 2017 to 35,206,085 in 2023, representing an average annual growth of 17.2%.

Evolution of indicators for transport by pinasses in Abidjan

Sources : DGAMP

This traffic is provided by about twenty lines in the city of Abidjan under precarious comfort and safety conditions. 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 extending 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 continuation of the implementation of the lagoon transport development program is primarily planned.