According to official figures, the supply of drinking water in Ivory Coast has improved significantly. In terms of social connections in particular, the Ivory Coast Water Supply Company (SODECI) has connected more than 100,000 households to its network by 2021. This positive result is also due to the construction and modernization of water facilities throughout the country.
Water resource management is a priority for Ivory Coast, which is one of the most dynamic African countries in this area. While initiatives have been multiplying in Ivory Coast for several years, it was really in 2017, with the launch of the “Water for All” Program that the Ivorian government’s commitment became clear.
Implemented by the Ivorian Minister of Hydraulics with a budget of 1,320 billion CFA francs (over 2 million euros), the “Water for All” program will have a positive outcome by the end of 2021. With regard to social connections, more than 100,000 households in Abidjan and its outskirts have been connected to the network of the Société de distribution d’Eau de la Côte d’Ivoire (SODECI), i.e. 105,000 social connections thanks to the project to improve the technical and financial performance of the drinking water sector (APTF) launched in May 2020 as part of the “Water for All” Program.
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The Ivorian authorities have received support from several financial partners. The funds mobilized have made it possible to reduce the cost of subscription to the Sodeci water network for the populations concerned, i.e. from “167,000 CFA francs (nearly 254.6 euros) to 10,000 CFA francs (more than 15 euros)”.
Universal drinking water coverage by 2030
In addition to extending SODECI’s distribution network, this approach has promoted access to drinking water for people in vulnerable areas. In 2021, the “Water for All” program has also enabled the construction of new water facilities, including nine water towers and the installation of 40 compact degremont units (CDUs) in various localities in Ivory Coast. Each facility, prefabricated by Suez and installed by the Ivorian company Franzetti, has a capacity of 2,000 m3. “By this date, more than 80% of Ivorians living in urban areas and more than 70% in rural areas will have access to drinking water,” said the President of the Republic of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, in his end-of-year message for 2021.
The government of Ivory Coast plans to continue building infrastructure for the collection, production and distribution of drinking water in the country to achieve universal coverage by 2030.
Inès Magoum
