Ivory Coast: A second mineral terminal worth 250 million USD to establish Abidjan as a regional mining logistics hub.

In its quest to become a central player in mining trade in West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire is embarking on a decisive transformation of its logistics infrastructure. On June 16, 2025, in Abidjan, the company Lagune Exploration Afrique (LEA) sealed a strategic partnership with the Chinese giant China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) for the construction of a next-generation mineral terminal. The planned investment amounts to 250 million dollars, or approximately 142 billion CFA francs.

This large-scale project, jointly presented by Mr. Moumini Bictogo, CEO of LEA, and Mr. Bai Yinzhan, CEO of CHEC, represents a structural advancement for the development of Ivorian port infrastructure, at a time when the exploitation of resources such as bauxite, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and lithium is experiencing sustained growth in the sub-region.

The future mineral terminal, designed to accommodate large-tonnage vessels and equipped with advanced handling capabilities, particularly for clinker, will be the second of its kind in the country, after the one at the autonomous port of Abidjan. It aims to streamline the logistics chain for mining exports by significantly reducing costs and transit times. This infrastructure will thus play a crucial role not only for Ivorian mining projects but also for those of neighboring countries, notably Mali (lithium) and Burkina Faso (zinc, manganese).

Beyond the port infrastructure, this project is part of a broader vision of regional integration, with the parallel development of a rail and road network intended to connect mining areas to the Ivorian economic capital. This integrated strategy aims to sustainably position Abidjan as a key logistics platform in the West African corridor.

CHEC's international expertise in port engineering, combined with the infrastructure modernization drive initiated by Ivorian authorities, gives this partnership strategic significance. By committing to this ambitious project, Côte d'Ivoire asserts its ambitions: to become a competitive mining logistics hub, serving regional growth and national economic diversification.

Source: Croissance Afrique, MEPD Web Portal Editorial