Ancien Pont Bridge, Historic bridge in Cotonou, Benin

The Ancien Pont is a road bridge over the Kouta Canal in Cotonou, linking the port on the west bank with the industrial zone near the former village of Akpakpa on the east. It is the city's first bridge and the one closest to the ocean, built between 1927 and 1930.

Built between 1927 and 1930, this bridge was the first crossing over the Cotonou Lagoon. It marked a turning point in the city's infrastructure development.

The bridge links the port district with the Akpakpa neighborhood, serving as a vital connection between traditional residential areas and Cotonou's commercial center.

The bridge experiences heavy traffic daily and can become congested during peak hours. The best time to cross is in early morning or evening when traffic is lighter.

The bridge was renovated in 1981, not reinforced; sources also give 1980 as the date of the previous renovation. In 2018 citizens warned on social media about advanced deterioration, partly from sea spray, and the government announced a new rehabilitation project. In 1995 two-wheelers made up 67% of the vehicles using it.