Côte d’Ivoire: launch of 5,500 social housing units with BOAD support
A concrete response to the urban housing crisis
Faced with a shortfall of over 836,000 housing units, particularly in urban areas, Côte d’Ivoire is taking a new step in its social housing policy. On May 21, 2025, the government ratified a USD 69 million loan agreement with the West African Development Bank (BOAD) to finance the construction of 5,500 social housing units in several of the country’s communes.
The project is part of the national housing plan, which aims to build 150,000 homes nationwide to meet growing demand while reducing urban deprivation.
A massive employment driver for the construction industry
Over and above the fight against informal housing, this program also represents a major economic opportunity. By mobilizing local SMEs, it is expected to generate between 750,000 and 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs in the building and public works sector, according to Bruno Nabagné Koné, Minister of Urban Planning. This expected dynamism in the building trades could provide a major boost to the Ivorian economy, particularly for young people and low-skilled workers.
This model is reminiscent of the Ouèdo project in Benin, where over 3,500 people a day were employed on a similar site, illustrating the potential of large-scale housing projects forprofessional integration and inclusive growth.
A structuring program for the long term
The BOAD program complements existing initiatives to provide affordable housing for low-income populations. Government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly emphasized that this approach aims to improve access to housing for vulnerable households, in response to rapid urbanization that far exceeds the current capacity of the formal housing supply.
The project also relies on a strengthened public-private partnership, local mobilization of skills, and the establishment of quality standards, all of which are essential to guarantee the program’s sustainability and inclusiveness.
Conclusion
With the support of the BOAD, Côte d’Ivoire is affirming its determination to make social housing a pillar of social and economic development. By combining infrastructure, employment and social inclusion, this program could not only reduce the housing deficit, but also transform the urban landscape and sustainably improve the living conditions of modest populations. However, its success will depend on rigorous management, adherence to deadlines and precise targeting of beneficiaries, all of which are essential if it is to become a model that can be replicated on a regional scale.
