2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

COTE D'IVOIRE PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
Freshwater
Total (1998, km 3 ) 76.7
Per capita (1998, m 3 ) 5,265
Withdrawals (1987, km 3 ) 0.7
For domestic use (1987) 22%
For industry (1987) 11%
For agriculture (1987) 67%
A profitable concession
The assets are held by EECI, a government-held entity, with SODECI being responsible for the
management of these assets. While the concession was granted in 1987 the managerial changes
needed did not take place until 1990-91. In 1993, SODECI distributed 103 million m 3 of water and
billed clients for 89 million m 3 . SODECI serves approximately 70% of the country’s urban population
and the number of connections grew by 5-6% per annum during the 1990s. SODECI receives no
operating subsidies from the state and self-finances all agreed capital expenditure.
Since 1980, unaccounted for water has been kept below 15-17% and payment of bills has exceeded
97% for private customers. However, collecting money from government departments remains
problematic. SODCEI was retained by Bouygues when Bouygues sold Saur to PAI in 2004.
Bouygues holds 46.06%, of SODECI, Ivorian shareholders 33.46%, SODECI Personnel 6.98%,
Ivorian State 3.25% and others 10.25%. SODECI had revenues of €74.28 million in 2003. While the
company’s equity remains fairly tightly held, the company’s bonds are some of the most heavily
traded instruments on the Bourse.
Groundwater
Total recharge (1998, km 3 ) 37.7
Per capita (1998, m 3 ) 2,588
MAJOR CITIES
Population 2000 2015 Status
Abidjan 3,790,000 6,076,000 Privatised
By 2000, SODECI managed more than 300 piped water supply systems across the country, with the
number of individual connections increasing by 5 to 6% a year. The company served 70% of the
nation's 7 million urban residents including 2 million in Abidjan, and the rest in settlements ranging
from 5,000 to 400,000 people. In order to provide services for poor people, SODECI foregoes direct
hook-up charges on three out of four of its domestic connections, a policy that pays the company
direct benefits, as it has a 98% percent or better collection rate from its private customers. The cost
of SODECI water to consumers is no higher than in neighbouring countries with similar economic
conditions, where rates rarely cover costs and service lags far behind.
Private sector contracts awarded (Please see the relevant company entry for
details)
Location Contract Company
Abidjan SODECI concession SAUR Afrique (Bouygues)
Private sector company operations (Please see the relevant company entry for details)
Company Parent company
Population served
(country) Water Sewerage Total
SODECI Bouygues 5,200,000 3,000,000 5,200,000
74 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006