Mobility in Africa: why transportation funding will be at the heart of debates in Abidjan

From October 19 to 22, 2026, Abidjan will host CIMDC 2026, an international conference on sustainable mobility and climate, bringing together nearly 1,500 participants from forty countries. The event will focus on infrastructure financing for transport amid rapid urbanization, regional trade, and climate change, emphasizing investments in roads, cross-border corridors, railways, ports, and urban transit. The African Development Bank estimates Africa’s annual infrastructure needs at between $130 billion and $170 billion, with a funding gap of $68 billion to $108 billion. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is also a key factor, aiming to facilitate faster movement of goods across the continent.