Japan grants US$17M for construction of grain terminal in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Japan has granted US$17 million to support the development of a grain terminal at the port of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The grant was sealed by the signing of the agreement by H.E. Mr Léon Kacou Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Living Abroad, and H.E. Mr Ikkatai Katsuya, Ambassador of Japan to Côte d’Ivoire on March 7.

According to sources, the loan will be used to finance the second phase of the Port of Abidjan Grain Terminal Construction Project, in particular the construction of a surveillance tower essential for the management of the new grain terminal built during phase 1 and inaugurated last May.

“This loan is part of the concern to provide a response to the growing demand for cereal supplies both in Côte d’Ivoire and in the hinterland countries of the Sahel region and to stimulate the distribution of foodstuffs. in the sub-region,” said Mr. Ikkatai. 

Built on an area of ​​9.5 hectares, the new grain terminal at the port of Abidjan can accommodate large ships with payloads ranging from 55,000 to 70,000 tonnes.

Ivory Coast is one of the main cereal importers. In 2020, the country started a project to build and develop a new grain terminal in the port of Abidjan to improve its handling capacity.

The first phase of this project costed around 70 billion CFA francs (US$116.7 million), which, the country is entering the second phase through the loan.  

According to the minister, in addition to increasing the volume of trade, this project aims to ensure a resilient and sustainable food system, improve the operational efficiency of the Port of Abidjan and meet the growing demand for cereals supplies in Côte d’Ivoire and the countries of the Sahel region.

This infrastructure will also help to revitalise food distribution in the sub-region.

H.E. Mr Ikkatai Katsuya, Japan’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with African countries and working towards resilient global food security.

On his part, H.E. Léon KACOU praised Japan’s ongoing efforts to support Côte d’Ivoire’s economic and social development.

He also welcomed the signing of various structuring agreements that symbolise the vitality and dynamism of the friendly and cooperative relations between Côte d’Ivoire and Japan.

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