DESTINATION
IVORY COAST
DISCOVER
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Located in West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire covers an area of 322,462 km² with a population of over 28 million inhabitants (RGPH 2021).Independent since August 7, 1960, the country is bordered to the north by Mali and Burkina Faso, to the west by Liberia and Guinea, to the east by Ghana and to the south by the Atlantic Ocean.
Its economy is essentially based on agriculture, especially coffee and cocoa, which ensured a remarkable development from the very first hours of its independence, making it the leading country in the West African sub-region.
Five (5) heads of state have succeeded each other since its independence: Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1960-1993), Henri Konan Bédié (1993-1999), Robert Guéi (1999-2000), Laurent Gbagbo (2000-2010), and Alassane Ouattara since 2011.
Yamoussoukro, in the center of the country, is the political and administrative capital and Abidjan, in the southern part, the economic capital.
Renowned as the "Country of hospitality," as proclaimed in its national anthem, l'Abidjanaise, Côte d'Ivoire is truly a melting pot of cultures. With almost a quarter of its population consisting of people from other nations, even foreigners are unlikely to feel out of place, as they are sure to encounter fellow compatriots who have long since made this nation their home, ready to provide them with a refreshing change of scenery at every turn.
In the evenings, the warmth of Ivorian hospitality comes to life in the lively "maquis," where one can indulge in local delicacies such as "attiéké" (cassava semolina) and "kédjénou" (a savory broth made with chicken, fish, or snails) that are simply irresistible.
Côte d'Ivoire, a land of lush forests interwoven with meandering streams and five magnificent rivers (Cavally, Bandama, Agnéby, Sassandra, Comoé), boasts an exceptional culinary heritage that has earned it the distinction of being a destination for connoisseurs of fine cuisine. This diversity of flavors adds to the Ivorian way of life, which never fails to evoke a sense of nostalgia. Even the bustling economic capital, Abidjan, is not left out, with its sizzling nightlife that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
The Ebrié lagoon, which borders the city of Abidjan, is home to several attractions that are worth discovering during a leisurely stroll. These include the 'Baie des Milliardaires', the 'Ile Boulay', and the 'Ile flottante'.
THE HOST
CITIES
ABIDJAN
Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire, is nicknamed "The Pearl of the Lagoons" and is a cosmopolitan city with a population of nearly six million people.
It serves as the country's economic hub and business center, hosting the regional headquarters and offices of major international institutions such as the African Development Bank (BAD), the Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AIFD), UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), IMF (International Monetary Fund), World Bank, FIBA-Africa (International Basketball Federation), and more. Abidjan boasts around forty high-end hotels, including three 5-star rated ones, and dozens of luxury residences, totaling over 4,000 rooms. These accommodations are well distributed throughout the city. In the outskirts of Abidjan, there are coastal sites with kilometers of beaches, perfect for relaxation and escape.
BOUAKE
Bouaké, along with Abidjan, served as a host city for the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations. It is located in the central part of the country, 350 km from the economic capital, and 100 km from Yamoussoukro, the political capital.
With a population of over 600,000 inhabitants, Bouaké is the second-largest city in the country and third-largest in terms of its economic significance. The city's hotel network includes several well-regarded establishments that offer comfortable and welcoming accommodations. The creation of CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) villages significantly increased its capacity to host visitors.
Bouaké, served by the Abidjan-Ouagadougou railway line, is a regional hub for commerce and culture. It acts as a vibrant center for trade and serves as a cultural meeting point for the region.
KORHOGO
Korhogo, known as the "Pôrô" city, named after a tradition of the local Sénoufo ethnic group, is the capital of the Savanes region. It is located approximately 207 km from Mali and 242 km from Burkina Faso, with an estimated population of around 300,000 inhabitants.
The city boasts several hotel complexes that can accommodate participants in an enchanting setting. The construction projects of CAN villages and new hotel infrastructure will significantly enhance the current capacity for accommodation. vont sensiblement améliorer la capacité actuelle d’hébergement.
Korhogo, which means "heritage" in the Sénoufo language, has a popular cultural center and an art museum that attract many tourists. Visitors can explore and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the region through these attractions.
YAMOUSSOUKRO
Yamoussoukro, the birthplace of the first President of the Republic, the late Félix Houphouët-Boigny, serves as the political and administrative capital of Côte d'Ivoire. It is located 240 km north of Abidjan and has an estimated population of over 260,000 inhabitants. The city is renowned for its state-of-the-art educational institutions dedicated to training the country's and the continent's elite, such as the Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute, the Scientific High School, Mamie Adjoua High School, and more.
Yamoussoukro is not only an educational hub but also a tourist and cultural destination. It is home to the largest basilica in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, as well as the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research, the Lac aux Caïmans, and a world-class golf course. The city offers quality accommodations, including the famous Hôtel Président and Hôtel des Parlementaires, for visitors to enjoy their stay.
SAN PEDRO
Located in the southwest of Côte d'Ivoire, 350 km from Abidjan, San Pédro is a coastal and tourist city with a population of just over 265,000 inhabitants. It is home to the country's second-largest port and the world's leading cocoa export port.
As a cosmopolitan city, San Pédro attracts a significant foreign population. Its beachfront hotels provide a picturesque setting for visitors. The addition of CAN villages will further enhance the existing accommodations available.
The proximity (approximately 40 km) to the coastal cities of Grand-Béréby and Sassandra offers the opportunity to expand the city's capacity to accommodate more tourists and visitors.
THE
INFRASTRUCTURES
ÉBIMPÉ : ALASSANE OUATTARA OLYMPIC STADIUM
This is the country's largest stadium, with 60,000 seats and all the stands covered. Featuring a natural grass pitch, it is the fruit of Ivorian-Chinese cooperation.
The stadium is located on the outskirts of Abidjan, in the commune of Anyama, some ten kilometers north of the city. It covers an area of 40 hectares.
Like all the other stadiums, it has all the facilities needed to host major soccer competitions and other disciplines, notably athletics.
BOUAKÉ : STADE DE LA PAIX
Built during the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, this stadium covers an area of 14.52 hectares. It includes a parking lot with 2,000 spaces reserved for spectators, a separate parking area for media personnel, a private parking area for 4 team buses and 14 vehicles for officials, as well as a designated parking area for staff members.
In anticipation of the forthcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations, the stadium is currently undergoing a meticulous renovation process. One noteworthy enhancement involves a substantial increase in the seating capacity of the covered stands, soaring from 25,000 to an impressive 40,000 seats.
Furthermore, the pitch within the stadium proudly showcases a lush expanse of natural grass.
ABIDJAN : FÉLIX HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY STADIUM
Le « Félicia », comme il est surnommé, est le plus ancien stade du pays. Il est situé en plein cœur d’Abidjan, dans la commune du Plateau, le quartier des affaires. Dénommé Stade Géo André à sa construction, avant l’indépendance du pays, il a été par la suite entièrement rénové et rebaptisé Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, du nom du fondateur de la nation ivoirienne et premier Chef d’État. Il a servi pour les rencontres de la CAN 1984, la seule organisée à ce jour par la Côte d’Ivoire.
In preparation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium underwent renovations, including upgrades to its structure, seating, and turf. The stadium now has a seating capacity of 29,000.
With its four covered stands, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium will host numerous international matches, not only in football but also in other sports disciplines such as athletics, rugby, and more. Its versatile design allows for a wide range of sporting events to take place within its premises.
KORHOGO : STADE AMADOU GON COULIBALY
The Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo is constructed on a total area of 20.17 hectares.
It has a seating capacity of 20,000, fully covered stands and a natural grass field.
Ce stade qui répond aux normes internationales et accueillera des matchs de poule de la prochaine CAN TotalEnergies 2023.
It also has four parking lots reserved for spectators, teams, officials and media.
YAMOUSSOUKRO : CHARLES KONAN BANNY STADIUM
Dotée d’une capacité d’accueil de 20 000 places assises, avec des tribunes couvertes, le stade de la capitale politique, est achevé et homologué. Construis sur une superficie totale de 24,66 hectares, sa pelouse est en gazon naturel. Il comprend un parking privé pouvant recevoir 4 cars pour les équipes et 14 véhicules pour les officiels, un parking pour le personnel du stade, un pour les médias et un autre d’une capacité de 2 000 places pour les spectateurs.
SAN PEDRO : LAURENT POKOU STADIUM
The Laurent POKOU stadium, built on a 23.33-hectare site in the PORO district of San Pedro, is a true architectural gem.
Like the Yamoussoukro and Korhogo stadiums, it has a capacity of 20,000, covered stands, 4 parking lots and a natural grass field.
THE
TransportS
Considered one of the most developed in the West African sub-region, Côte d'Ivoire's road network efficiently covers the entire country. It has become particularly dense in recent years, with the asphalting of numerous roads and the construction of freeways and bridges.
Getting around
Abidjan?
Five major means of transport coexist in Abidjan, a megalopolis of over six million inhabitants. These are cabs, wôrô-wôrôs , gbakas, buses and water buses.
With the completion of a metro line, a revolution will take place in urban transport in Abidjan, which will become more fluid. 530,000 people will be transported daily between the Anyama commune (northwest of Abidjan) and the Félix Houphouët-Boigny airport over a distance of 37 km.
TAXIS
Travel in the economic capital is primarily provided by metered taxis recognizable by their orange color.
The fare is determined by the distance and indicated by the meter on board. However, all trips are negotiable, and the price is sometimes set on a case-by-case basis depending on the client.
In the taxi category, the Ivorian market has also included companies whose ride-hailing services, similar to those in Europe or the USA, are accessible through mobile applications on smartphones.
WÔRO-WÔROS
These are public vehicles operating on fixed routes at reduced fares within the communes of Abidjan.
The "wôro-wôro", which used to be part of the "DIY system" due to the massive mobility issues, is now one of the means of transportation in Abidjan.
The "wôro-wôro" can accommodate up to eight (8) passengers for the most spacious vehicles.
GBAKAS
"Gbakas" are the most popular means of transport in Abidjan, with 15 to 22-seater minicars serving most communes.
The picturesque gbakas have not escaped the attention of tourists, nor of Ivorian singer-artist Daouda le sentimental, who in the 1970s released a memorable song entitled "les gbakas d'Abidjan".
AUTOBUS
The State plays an important role in the mobility of Abidjan's population, estimated at over six million, through the Société des Transports Abidjanais (SOTRA), which has been operating buses since 1960 and transports an average of 1.2 million people a day in Abidjan.
It's often said that if the port of Abidjan is the lungs of the Ivorian economy, then SOTRA is its feet, as it transports the workers. These green-and-white buses can carry dozens of people.
WATER BUSES
Bordered by the Ebrié Lagoon, Abidjan boasts a body of water ideal for intercity travel.
This lagoon network is operated by several companies, including the state-owned SOTRA.
This sector has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, and is helping to improve the transport offer in the economic capital.
How to get around
within the country?
In the rest of the country, taxis, recognizable by their specific color in each city, are the main means of transportation. However, motorcycle taxis have appeared in some cities, notably in Bouaké.
In the run-up to the CAN 2023, SOTRA (Société des Transports Abidjanais) has begun its deployment in the host cities. Bouaké has been covered by SOTRA buses since September 24, 2021.
From one city to another
Côte d'Ivoire's major cities are well connected. Various transport companies provide this link.
From
Abidjan to
Distance
Travel time
From
Bouaké to
Distance
Travel time
In the sub-region
Inter-state transport is dynamic. Buses and other public transport vehicles link Côte d'Ivoire to the countries of the sub-region every day. A railway line also links Abidjan to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
Airports
Côte d'Ivoire boasts of three international airports located in Abidjan, Bouaké, and Yamoussoukro. In addition to these, there are also secondary airports serving domestic flights such as Korhogo and San Pédro.