ABIDJAN, April 4, 2023 —The World Bank has approved a new operation to finance the construction of sustainable urban infrastructure to generate jobs and economic growth, as well as the delivery of basic social services to approximately 900,000 persons in eight secondary cities in Côte d’Ivoire.
With a total budget of $300 million, the Sustainable and Inclusive Secondary Cities Project (PDVS) aims to create and improve access to basic services and to climate-resilient urban infrastructure. Project activities include the development of urban roads, stormwater drainage, and solid waste management, as well as the construction of market, school, cultural and sanitation infrastructure, and the creation of green spaces, while supporting urban agriculture initiatives in the targeted cities of Bouna, Boundiali, Ferkessédougou, Korhogo, Dianne, Ouangolodougou and Tengréla in the north, and Man in the west.
“The Sustainable and Inclusive Secondary Cities Project will help combat fragility and strengthen social cohesion by promoting the active participation of local governments and communities. It is aligned with the objectives of the World Bank Group’s new Partnership Framework with Côte d’Ivoire. The second pillar aims to reduce regional disparities and promote resilience through the construction of sustainable infrastructure and rational management of natural resources. This partnership is itself aligned with Côte d’Ivoire’s development objectives as laid out in the government’s National Development Plan and Vision 2030 in terms of reducing poverty and regional disparities,” said Coralie Gevers, World Bank Country Director for Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea and Togo.
In addition to the development of physical and social infrastructure, the project seeks to build local government capacity for participatory urban and economic development planning, paying particular attention to women, youth and vulnerable persons. It will support the implementation of strategies for the servicing and maintenance of infrastructure to ensure their sustainability and promote achievement of the expected impacts.
This operation complements a series of projects financed by the World Bank, including the Côte d’Ivoire Inclusive Connectivity and Rural Infrastructure Project, which was approved this week. Other complementary operations include the Gulf of Guinea Social Cohesion Project, the Côte d’Ivoire Water Security Program for Results, the Strengthening Primary Education System Program and the Sanitation and Urban Resilience Project.
