Abidjan 2026: airport expansion, major projects and tourism renewal

A bold ambition: Côte d'Ivoire in Africa's top 5

Driven by the "Sublime Côte d'Ivoire" strategy, the Ivorian economic capital is experiencing an unprecedented transformation. The government has invested over 825 million dollars in the tourism sector, with the ambition of placing the country among Africa's top five tourist destinations. In Abidjan, this vision translates into spectacular construction projects that are reshaping the city's face. Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport, the country's main gateway, is at the heart of this metamorphosis with a major expansion programme that promises to transform the traveller experience from the moment of arrival.

Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport gets a makeover

The expansion project for Abidjan's international airport, launched in 2022 with an investment of 330 billion CFA francs, enters its final phase in 2026. The airport's capacity will increase from 2 to 5 million passengers per year. The platform will be expanded by 25,000 m², parking spaces will increase from 827 to 2,400, and contact bridges will be doubled from 4 to 8. Two new baggage claim carousels will also be installed. Most strikingly, two lagoon terminals are being built in Cocody and Port-Bouët, designed to relieve congestion on the main boulevard and improve airport access.

Cocody Bay: an urban jewel reborn

Among the most emblematic projects is the revitalisation of Cocody Bay, long left neglected. This vast rehabilitation project is transforming the shores of the Ébrié Lagoon into a modern promenade with parks, restaurants and cultural spaces. Cocody Bay, once polluted and silted, is being reborn as Abidjan's new green lung, offering residents and tourists alike an exceptional setting for relaxation against the backdrop of the Plateau's skyscrapers. This project symbolises Abidjan's determination to combine urban development with quality of life.

A booming hotel sector

Abidjan's hotel offering has expanded considerably in recent years. The Radisson Blu Airport Hotel with its 252 rooms, the Azalaï Hotel with 190 rooms, the Noom Hotel with 179 rooms, and the Onomo Hotel complete an increasingly diverse range of accommodation. Luxury establishments sit alongside mid-range hotels, enabling Abidjan to cater to every budget. The SITLA 2025 programme has also emphasised technological innovations to build a modern, inclusive and resilient tourism industry, including the digitalisation of hotel services.

A sporting legacy serving tourism

Côte d'Ivoire is capitalising on the infrastructure built for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) it hosted. Modern stadiums, renovated roads and sports facilities are now being promoted as tourism assets. The "Ma Sublime Côte d'Ivoire en Fête" campaign, launched in late 2025, transformed Ivorian cities into festive destinations, from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro, with shows, cultural events and family activities. For travellers arriving at Abidjan Airport, these transformations promise a renewed experience worthy of a booming African metropolis.