France granted a loan of 120 million euros, or nearly 79 billion FCFA, to Côte d’Ivoire as part of the rehabilitation of the international road linking Bouaké, the big city of the Ivorian center, in Ferkessédougou, a crossroads city from the north to the hinterland countries.
The loan agreement signed on March 22 is “repayable at the interest rate of 1.61%, for a period of 20 years including 5 years of deferred”, said Adama Koné, the Ivorian Minister in charge of the Economy and Finance.
The project involves a 125 km section from Bouaké, the other 90 km to connect Ferkessédougou being financed through the C2D program, debt reduction and development contract.
“The realization of the Project will provide a road that meets the required standards. This will help make the Bouaké-Ferkessédougou link easily passable while reducing travel time, improve user safety and facilitate trade along the corridor, “said Koné.
This heavily degraded road is the main link between Côte d’Ivoire and the hinterland countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
“(…) the vitality of Ivorian-French cooperation is well established and measured in several areas of activity covered by the broad scope of C2D, now complemented by sovereign loans. Other funding is being prepared, particularly in the areas of education, health, strengthening the management of civil status and new technologies, “said the minister.
