The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has approved a CFAF30 billion (US$48.2 million) loan to support the construction of a road project in Côte d’Ivoire.

The funding has been allocated to facilitate the construction of the 69.5 km Bouake-Kobo road segment, a crucial part of the northern highway known as the Bouake-Kanawolo route. This route plays a vital role in linking the Port of Abidjan to Burkina Faso and Mali. The northern highway spans across Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Tiebissou, Bouake, Katiola, Kanawolo, Ferkessedougou, and Ouangolodougou, situated near the border with Burkina Faso and Mali. The construction of this highway is carried out in stages.

One of the phases launched in 2018 involved building a 96 km stretch connecting Tiébissou to Bouake, thereby establishing a direct link between Abidjan and Bouake. China Road and Bridge Corporation served as the contractor, with financial support from the Export-Import Bank of China. With the completion of the 36.5 km Yamoussoukro-Tiebissou section in December 2022, a total of 362km of highway now connects these two cities.