Faced with the alarming accumulation of household waste that has been invading the streets of Abidjan for several days, the Ivorian government is taking action.

On Monday, June 1, 2026, Dr. Amédé Koffi Kouakou, Minister of Water, Sanitation, and Public Health, urgently summoned key urban sanitation stakeholders to his office. The objective: to defuse an environmental and health crisis that is sparking public anger.

A single watchword: Zero tolerance for unsanitary conditions

The minister's message was absolutely firm. Companies in the sector now have a maximum of 72 hours to thoroughly clean the economic capital.

"It is no longer acceptable to allow piles of garbage to accumulate in the streets, markets, or residential areas."

For the head of sanitation, the time for justifications is over. Operators must immediately step up their efforts by intensifying waste collection and disposal throughout the Abidjan district.

Key points of the meeting

1. The urgency: A strict 3-day ultimatum to restore Abidjan's cleanliness.
2. The action: An immediate intensification of collection rotations in all neighborhoods.
3. The commitment: The operators unanimously promised to comply with ministerial requirements and to mobilize all their resources.

A public health issue

Beyond the aesthetic aspect of the city, this firm takeover aims above all to protect the health of Abidjan residents and improve their living environment in the face of health risks linked to illegal dumping.

The countdown has begun. The residents of Abidjan are now waiting to see if, within 72 hours, actions will follow promises.