Under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire has undergone a profound transformation of its transportation system. On July 9, 2025, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé presided over the official handover ceremony of 200 brand-new buses to the Abidjan Transport Company (SOTRA), aimed at improving the mobility of people and goods across the country.
“The vehicles we are handing over today will strengthen SOTRA’s capacity to serve Abidjan, Anyama, Grand-Bassam, Bingerville, and Songon, as part of a broader program that includes 300 buses and 25 water buses. This program will create millions of direct and indirect jobs,” stated Robert Beugré Mambé.
According to the Prime Minister, under President Ouattara’s leadership, Côte d’Ivoire’s transportation system—an essential pillar of the country’s economic and social development—has seen major improvements.
Since 2017, he noted, more than 2,000 new buses have been acquired, enabling SOTRA to transport over one million passengers per day, not only in Abidjan but also in the cities of Bouaké, Yamoussoukro, Korhogo, and San Pedro.
Robert Beugré Mambé emphasized that this new acquisition, which brings the total number of buses to 2,200, is part of the government’s strategy to modernize public transport. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue improving citizens’ commuting conditions.
The Prime Minister also made an appeal to SOTRA users: “These buses are public property. It is our duty to use them with a sense of civic responsibility,” he stressed.
Founded in 1960, SOTRA operates more than 150 routes daily across its network, underscoring the government’s commitment to accessible public transport. SOTRA also serves as a key driver of job creation, in line with the national vision of “A United and Inclusive Côte d’Ivoire.”
