Abidjan

Abidjan is the largest city and the former capital of Ivory Coast. As of the 2021 census, Abidjan's population was 6.3 million, which is 21.5 percent of the overall population of the country, making it the sixth most populous city proper in Africa, after Lagos, Cairo, Kinshasa, Dar es Salaam, and Johannesburg.

The city expanded quickly after the construction of a new wharf in 1931, followed by its designation as the capital city of the then-French colony in 1933. The completion of the Vridi Canal in 1951 enabled Abidjan to become an important sea port. Abidjan remained the capital of Ivory Coast after its independence from France in 1960.

In 1983, the city of Yamoussoukro was designated as the official political capital of Ivory Coast. However, Abidjan has officially been designated as the "economic capital" of the country, because it is the largest city in the country and the centre of its economic activity. Many political institutions and all foreign embassies continue to be located in Abidjan as well. The Abidjan Autonomous District, which encompasses the city and some of its suburbs, is one of the 14 districts of Ivory Coast.

Etymology

The name "Abidjan" comes from an old story. According to the Tchaman people, a long time ago, an old man was carrying branches to fix his roof when a European explorer asked him the name of the nearby village. The old man didn’t understand the explorer’s language and thought he was being asked why he was there. Frightened, he ran away shouting "min-chan m'bidjan," which means in the Ebrié language: "I just cut the leaves." The explorer thought this was the village’s name and wrote it down as Abidjan.

There is another version of the story where the first colonists asked a local man the name of the place, but he misunderstood and said "M'bi min djan," meaning "I've just been cutting leaves."

History

See also: Timeline of Abidjan

Colonial era

Abidjan began as a small fishing village of the Atchan people. In 1896, French settlers moved there from Grand-Bassam because of dangerous yellow fever epidemics. By 1903, it became an official town. The city grew because it had more space and better chances for trade. A railroad was built there in 1904, helping it become the main economic center for the area.

As Abidjan grew, new neighborhoods and important buildings were added. In 1931, a floating bridge connected parts of the city, and streets got their first official addresses. The city became the capital of Ivory Coast in 1934 because of its important railroad connections. During World War II, the port of Abidjan was expanded. After the war, Abidjan became a key financial center in West Africa.

After independence

When Ivory Coast gained independence in 1960, Abidjan became the country's main administrative and economic hub. The city grew quickly, with many new neighborhoods like Cocody, home to wealthy families and foreign diplomats. In 1983, the political capital moved to Yamoussoukro, but Abidjan remained the economic center.

From 2002 to 2011, Abidjan faced challenges during the Ivorian Civil Wars. There were conflicts and protests, especially in 2011 when demonstrations against the president led to difficult times for the city. Peace returned after new leadership took over in 2011. Today, Abidjan continues to be a major city in West Africa.

Geography

Abidjan is located on the south-east coast of Ivory Coast, along the Gulf of Guinea. The city sits beside the Ébrié Lagoon. Key parts of the city include Le Plateau, the business center; Cocody, a wealthy area; and Adjamé, a busy commercial zone. Other neighborhoods such as Treichville, Marcory, and Port Bouët are also important. Port Bouët is where the main airport and seaport are found.

Abidjan has a tropical wet and dry climate, with rainy seasons from March to July and September to December. The city is usually humid, with lots of rain during the summer, except in August when temperatures are cooler. Climate change may affect the city in the future, with rising temperatures and possible impacts from sea level rise.

The city is divided into several communes, or local areas. Northern Abidjan includes places like Abobo, known for public housing, and Plateau, the business hub. Southern Abidjan has areas such as Marcory, a residential zone, and Port-Bouët, home to the airport and port. Nearby towns like Grand-Bassam and Anyama are also part of the greater Abidjan area.

Politics

Administration

Organisation

Abidjan was once managed by French colonial leaders. In 1956, it became a municipality and held its first municipal council election on November 18, 1956. Félix Houphouët-Boigny became the first mayor.

In 1980, Abidjan was reorganised into the City of Abidjan and divided into 10 communes. Dioulo Emmanuel became the first mayor of the City of Abidjan on November 30, 1980.

In 2001, the City of Abidjan was replaced by a larger Autonomous District of Abidjan. This district includes the 10 communes of the former city and four surrounding areas: Anyama, Bingerville, Brofodoumé, and Songon. Since 2023, Ibrahim Bacongo Cissé has served as the District Governor, managing Abidjan with the help of an assembly called the Autonomous District Council. Each of the ten communes has its own mayor, with the most recent elections held in 2018.

The communes of Abobo, Adjamé, Attécoubé, Cocody, and Plateau lie north of the Ébrié Lagoon. Yopougon is split by the lagoon, with parts on both sides. The communes of Treichville, Koumassi, Marcory, and Port-Bouet are south of the lagoon.

Education

See also: List of schools in Abidjan

The Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny began in 1964. In Ivory Coast, many students take a test after sixth grade to see who can move on to secondary school. About 24% of students go to school in Abidjan, where 20% of the country’s people live. Important schools in Abidjan include Lycée Classique d'Abidjan, Lycée Sainte-Marie de Cocody, Lycée garçon de Bingerville, and Mami Adjoua the Lyceum. The Blaise Pascal Abidjan school is a French school that works with the AEFE. The Lycée International Jean-Mermoz recently opened again after closing during a war. Abidjan is also home to a part of the HEC Paris business school.

Government institutions

Most of Ivory Coast's government offices are still in Abidjan, not in the political capital, Yamoussoukro. Important places include the President's office in Cocody and the parliament, the Constitutional Council, the Supreme Court, and other important offices in Le Plateau. When Laurent Gbagbo was president from 2000 to 2011, plans were made to move the capital to Yamoussoukro, and this idea is still supported by the country's leaders.

Government buildings can be found in Le Plateau, along Boulevard Carde or Angoulvant Boulevard near the Cathedral of St. Paul of Abidjan, as well as in other large buildings around the city.

Security

Because of some difficult times between 2002 and 2011, peacekeepers from the United Nations stayed in Abidjan to help keep things calm. The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) set up its main office in a place called Attécoubé. Even though there are fewer peacekeepers now, they are still there to help.

France also had soldiers in Abidjan to protect the area and help with safety in nearby regions. After some unsafe events in 2016, France decided to send more soldiers to Abidjan. These soldiers work from places like Port-Bouet and the airport.

Abidjan has many police stations, and all police officers go to school together to learn how to keep people safe. There are different teams within the police, like groups that help during big crowds or protests.

Unfortunately, some bad things have happened with drugs in Abidjan. The police work hard to stop people from selling or using drugs, especially in areas where many people live without many homes or jobs.

Abidjan is also where France keeps one of its military bases in Africa. Many people live near this base, which has been there since an agreement between France and Ivory Coast in 1961.

Relationships and partnerships

Diplomacy and international bodies

Abidjan hosts many important global organizations. These include UNICEF, the UN Development Programme, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Office for Project Services, the United Nations Population Fund, the International Labour Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Many countries have their main representatives in Abidjan, showing its importance.

The African Development Bank, Africa’s biggest financial group, has its main office in Abidjan.

Twin towns – Sister cities

Abidjan has friendly partnerships with cities around the world, including:

• Tianjin, China
• Marseille, France
• São Paulo, Brazil
• San Francisco, United States
• Alfortville, France (twinned with Cocody)
• Kumasi, Ghana (twinned with Treichville)
• Pontault-Combault, France (twinned with Anyama)
• Boulogne-Billancourt, France
• Yokohama, Japan
• Basel, Switzerland

Society

The 2021 census recorded Abidjan's population as 6,321,017. People from many different ethnicities live in Abidjan, and French is commonly spoken in the metropolitan area, making it one of the largest French-speaking areas in the world after Kinshasa and Paris. A special way of speaking French has developed in Abidjan, with different sounds and some words not used in regular French. Abidjan is one of the few places in Africa where this special French is spoken like a first language, along with Libreville, Gabon.

The population of Abidjan grew from 4,707,404 in 2014 to 6,321,017 in 2021. This growth slowed in the 2000s because of economic problems and the Ivorian Civil War, but picked up again in the 2010s as the economy improved after peace returned in 2012. Many people move to Abidjan for jobs and a better life.

Abidjan started with just over 50,000 people in 1950. By 1975, the population reached one million, growing very fast—doubling every six or seven years. However, the growth slowed in the 1980s and 1990s due to crises. In the last 20 years of the 20th century, growth slowed to about 3–6% per year. Most new residents came from other parts of Ivory Coast and from nearby countries.

The main languages spoken in Abidjan include Ebrié, but French is the official language. A special, more casual form of French called français de Treichville or français de Moussa is common. Another casual way of speaking French, called Nouchi, is used mainly by younger people. The city also has many other languages spoken, such as Attié, Baoulé, Bété, and Wobé. Around the city, more than thirty villages still use Baoulé and Ébrié.

Abidjan has many health centers, pharmacies, and clinics, including places for veterinary care, dermatology, dental work, optometry, motherhood care, psychology, and pediatrics.

Modern parts of Abidjan, like Plateau and Cocody, have tall office buildings and apartments built between the 1970s and mid-1980s. The CCIA building (Abidjan International Trade Center Building), a tall skyscraper, was finished in 1982.

Older neighborhoods, such as Treichville and Marcory, keep a traditional style with houses close together, like in old African villages.

The Cocody area has many wooden houses with gardens, and some wealthy homes look like Greek temples. Many houses are built on stilts near the Ébrié Lagoon. The city hall, an example of modern design, was created by architect Henri Chomette.

Abidjan's fast-growing population has caused problems with city services. People from rural areas move to the city for opportunities. Abidjan is the largest city in Ivory Coast, much bigger than the second-largest city, Bouaké, and the political capital, Yamoussoukro.

Efforts have been made to improve waste management since 2006. In 2016, a project started to clean streets, collect waste, and teach hygiene in three parts of the city.

Improvements to roads started in 1994 and continued after 2007. Plans include fixing and building roads, adding drains, and improving sanitation across Abidjan, including in Cocody, Yopougon, and Abobo.

Notable people

Abidjan has been home to many famous people. Some well-known footballers from the city include Simon Adingra, Amad Diallo, Lassina Diomandé, Didier Drogba, Modeste Gnakpa, Marc Guéhi, Ismaël Koné, Christian Kouamé, Arnaud Monney, Anderson Lago Zeze, and Wilfried Zaha. Other notable individuals include Patrick Bohui, an athlete, Fatou Bolli, a novelist, Kader Kohou, an American football player, and Olivia Yacé, a beauty queen and Tourism Ambassador of Ivory Coast.

Economy

The main stock exchange for Ivory Coast and seven other countries in West Africa, called the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), is in Abidjan. The airline Air Ivoire used to have its main office there. Before it stopped operating, another airline, Air Afrique, was also based in Abidjan.

Industry

The area near the lagoons is the most industrialized part of the country.

Important industries include food processing, lumber, automobile manufacturing, textiles, chemicals, and soap. There is also a large oil refinery. These industries are mainly focused on construction and maintenance, with major international companies operating there.

The textile industry is very active, making up a big part of the country’s investments and business. There are offshore oil wells, which support chemical industries and oil ports. The city also works with stones and precious metals for export.

Abidjan has a large wood processing plant that exports natural mahogany, plywood, and chipboard. The food industry includes making palm oil, beverages from pineapples, oranges, and mangoes, as well as coffee and cocoa. Abidjan is also a major port for tuna.

Tertiary sector

Recent years have seen growth in service industries, with more international banks and service companies opening up.

Electricity

A thermal power plant provides electricity, and the country produces and exports power to nearby nations. There are also smaller renewable energy projects.

Telecommunication and ICT

The city has a large telephone network and offers broadband internet services.

Banking system

Abidjan is home to many international banks and financial institutions, making it a key financial center for the region.

Transportation

Trains run to Ouagadougou from stations in the city. Ferries connect different parts of the city, and Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport serves travelers. Work has begun on a new metro system, expected to start in 2028.

SOTRA operates buses and taxis in the city. There are red taxis that go everywhere and yellow or green taxis that work in specific neighborhoods.

Airport

Port Bouet Airport can handle large planes, and Abidjan is close to many capitals in the area. Many airlines fly to the city, and it was a headquarters for an African airline.

Circulation

The city has many paved roads and boulevards. River transport is popular, with boats connecting different neighborhoods along the lagoon.

Abidjan is connected to the country’s capital, Yamoussoukro, by the nation’s only highway.

Port

Abidjan has one of the biggest ports in West Africa. It opened in 1951 and has a deep canal for large ships. The port is very important for the country’s business, especially for products like coffee, cocoa, timber, bananas, pineapples, and manganese.

Bridges

The city has several bridges over the lagoon, including the Alassane Ouattara Bridge, completed in 2023. These bridges connect different parts of the city.

Trains and trams

The city is connected to Ouagadougou by a railway with stations in Treichville, Abobo, and Adjamé. There are plans for a new metro system and a suburban train network.

Tourism

Abidjan is known by nicknames like "Manhattan of the tropics" and "Pearl of the lagoons." It has hotels, sports facilities, and a lively nightlife. The city has beautiful beaches, though swimming is often not allowed because of strong currents.

Parc du Banco (Banco National Park)

This park, converted in 1926, covers 3,000 hectares and includes ancient forest. It has roads and trails, and parts of it are used for coffee and cocoa farms.

Culture

Monuments and museums

Abidjan has many interesting places to visit. In Cocody, you can find the Goethe Institute, the Municipal Museum, the American Culture Centre, the Ki Yi M'Bock Village in Riviera, Cocody Museum of Contemporary Art, and Point d'Orgue, a private music school. In Plateau, there is the French Cultural Centre and the Côte d'Ivoire Museum of Civilisations, which shows Ivorian art like statues, masks, jewelry, tools, carved doors, tom-toms, and musical instruments. In Treichville, you can see the Sports Palace, the Cultural Palace, and the Abidjan artisanal centre.

Cinema

Abidjan holds many film festivals each year, such as the Clap-Ivoire Festival, the Spanish Film Festival, and the Côte d'Ivoire National Film Festival. Several films have been made about or in Abidjan, including Moi, un noir, Le Sixième doigt, and Bronx-Barbès.

Music

Abidjan is very important for music in West Africa. Many musicians from Côte d'Ivoire start their careers here because of the many dance clubs, record companies, and media. Popular artists who began in Abidjan include Alpha Blondy, Magic System, and Tiken Jah Fakoly. The city is known for music styles like Zoblazo, Mapouka, Zouglou, and Coupé-Décalé. Each year, Abidjan hosts music festivals such as the International Jazz Festival of Abidjan and the International Festival of Black Music.

Media

Most of Côte d'Ivoire's media is based in Abidjan. Radiodiffusion Television Ivoirienne (RTI) runs television and radio services, including channels like La Première and TV2. There are also many private radio stations and websites that share news and entertainment.

Festivals and cultural events

Abidjan has many festivals and cultural events. The MASA Festival celebrates theatre, while the Urban Dance Festival and Hip-hop is back show dance performances. Fashion events like Les Féeries and the Yéhé Fashion Show are also popular. Other events include the Climbie Beach Festival, the International Cartoon Festival, and the International Comedy Festival.

Places of worship

Abidjan has many special buildings where people gather for their beliefs. The most common ones are Christian churches and temples, such as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abidjan, the United Methodist Church Ivory Coast, the Union of Missionary Baptist Churches in Ivory Coast, and the Assemblies of God. There are also Muslim mosques. In addition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has many groups meeting together and a special temple finished in May 2025.

Sport

Côte d'Ivoire has teams in many sports like basketball, athletics, rugby, handball, volleyball, and more. But soccer is especially popular in Abidjan. One of the top football clubs there is ASEC Mimosas.

Abidjan has many football clubs and training centers for young players. Each year, a special 7-a-side football tournament called the Festival of Maracana d'Abidjan (FESTMA) is held in Yopougon. Big football events like the African Cup of Nations and the African Cup Winners' Cup have taken place in Abidjan too.

Other sports are also popular. There are clubs for basketball, rugby, cycling, tennis, judo, athletics, boxing, and golf. Abidjan has many sports facilities, including stadiums like Alassane Ouattara Stadium and Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.

• Ivorian Football Federation
• Professional Clubs

Facilities

• Stadiums: Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Stade INJS, Stade Municipal d'Abidjan, Stade Municipal de Man FC, Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Parc des Sports de Treichville, Stade Robert Champroux, Stade du Port autonome d'Abidjan.
• Other facilities: Omnisport Palace in Treichville
• Olympic Complex: Plans for a big Olympic complex with space for many sports were started but stopped in 2011 because there were not enough investors and the country had political problems.