13.02.2025

Phase II for expansion and road construction project in Côte d'Ivoire

In the forefront of the Munich Security Conference, Téné Birahima Ouattara, Minister of State and Minister of Defence of Côte d'Ivoire, together with the Ivorian Ambassador to Germany, Abdallah Azize Diabaté, met with Uwe Gauff, main associate of GAUFF Engineering, and Romain Charlot, Head of Acquisition Francophone Africa, on 12 February.

GAUFF Engineering is already involved in two important projects in Côte d'Ivoire, including one that falls directly under the responsibility of the Minister of State. Road service centres are being built in the towns of Odienné, Bondoukou, San-Pedro, Séguéla and Bouaké and equipped with modern machines for road maintenance. A key component of the project is also the training of personnel from the Ivorian army's pioneer corps. The soldiers are instructed in road construction, maintenance and machine servicing - a training programme that is based at the educational centre in Bouaké, which also serves as the headquarters for all road maintenance depots.

Uwe Gauff underlined that important structures have already been created to enable the pioneer corps to autonomously maintain the rural road infrastructure in the long term. This is particularly important in order to better protect the population in rural areas, even during extreme weather events.

Minister of State Ouattara was delighted with the progress of the project, which is now over 90% complete (as of February 2025), as well as the extensive machine deliveries. He emphasised how essential the work of the experts from GAUFF Engineering is for the sustainable improvement of the rural road network.

Due to the successful progress of the project, negotiations are currently underway for a second project phase. This phase II is to include the construction of a further road maintenance centre, the purchase of mobile bridges and extended qualification for specialists. It is also planned to impart basic skills in building construction and civil engineering, civil engineering, hydraulic engineering and energy and drinking water supply. A particular focus is on the electrification of infrastructure using photovoltaics.

Minister of State Ouattara has therefore stated the goal of supplying the main barracks with solar power. GAUFF Engineering accepted this request with enthusiasm, especially as we have already realised a successful solar project for rural electrification in Senegal.

In addition to this road construction project, GAUFF Engineering is working on a second major project in Côte d'Ivoire: the rehabilitation and expansion of the rainwater drainage system and the construction of a wastewater system for Abidjan. This also includes a new wastewater treatment plant.

GAUFF Engineering is thus making a significant contribution to improving the infrastructure in Côte d'Ivoire and strengthening the country's independence in the areas of road construction, water management and renewable energies.