What Is the Longest River in Ivory Coast?

The longest river in the Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) is the Bandama River, with a length of approximately 800 kilometers (about 497 miles). It flows the northern highlands southward through Lake Kossou, an artificial lake created by the Kossou Dam, and empties into the Ébrié Lagoon near Grand-Lahou, and then into the Gulf of Guinea.

Key Facts Bandama River – The Longest River in the Ivory Coast

Length: Approximately 800 kilometers (497 miles)
Origin: Northern highlands of Côte d’Ivoire
Mouth: Flows into the Tagba Lagoon near Grand-Lahou, then into the Gulf of Guinea

Major Tributaries:

Bandama Rouge (Marahoué River)
Nzi River
Kan River
Solomougou River

The Bandama River is the most commercially important river in the country, draining about one-third of its land area and supporting hydroelectric power generation and transportation.

Economic & Environmental Importance

Hydroelectric Power: Home to the Kossou Dam, which powers much of the country
Navigation: Navigable for small craft during rainy seasons
Agriculture & Fishing: Supports farming and fisheries along its basin
Biodiversity: Flows through national parks and diverse ecosystems
Yamoussoukro, the political capital, is also located adjacent to the Bandama River.

List of the Longest Rivers of the Ivory Coast

Based on available geographic data, here are the top 5 longest rivers in the Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire):

Rank	River Name	Approximate Length (km)	Key Info
1	Bandama River	~800	The longest river in the Ivory Coast flows through Lake Kossou and near Yamoussoukro, draining half of the country.
2	Comoé River	~758	Originates in Burkina Faso; flows east to west and empties near Grand-Bassam; navigable for about 50 km.
3	Cavally River	~515	Forms part of the border with Liberia; navigable for about 50 km inland.
4	Sassandra River	~650	Flows from the Guinea Highlands and is navigable for about 80 km inland from the Sassandra port.
5	Marahoué River (Bandama Rouge)	~550	A major tributary of the Bandama River.

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