The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has approved a loan of 30 billion CFA francs ($49.5 million) to Air Côte d’Ivoire to finance the purchase of two Airbus A330-900 Neo aircraft.
The financing is part of a broader 391.9 billion CFA francs ($646.9 million) package approved for fifteen new projects during the bank’s 145th board session.
The new aircraft will support the airline’s long-haul expansion, with planned routes to Paris, Geneva, London, Beirut, New York, and Washington. The goal is to position Abidjan as a regional aviation hub, similar to Lagos and Addis Ababa.
The expansion is expected to create over 2,160 jobs, both direct and indirect, and generate 30.9 billion CFA francs ($50.9 million) in annual added economic value. Tax revenues from the new activity are projected to reach 3.2 billion CFA francs ($5.3 million) annually.
Air Côte d’Ivoire’s latest investment signals a shift toward long-haul competitiveness. With BOAD funding in place, the airline aims to diversify revenue and reduce reliance on regional routes.
The addition of Airbus A330-900 Neo aircraft expands its capacity for intercontinental destinations and supports broader infrastructure growth in Abidjan.
