Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire — the Ivory Coast — was once the economic miracle of West Africa, and after turbulent years is reclaiming that status. This is a country of stunning contrasts: the modern skyline of Abidjan, colonial grandeur of Grand-Bassam, and the world's largest church rising improbably from the savanna.

As the world's top cocoa producer, Côte d'Ivoire literally sweetens global life. But there's far more here than chocolate origins: dense rainforests harboring pygmy hippos, mask-wearing stilt dancers, beaches lapped by Atlantic waves, and cities pulsing with coupé-décalé music and entrepreneurial energy.

The country suffered through civil wars in the 2000s, but has emerged with remarkable resilience. Abidjan is again the economic hub of francophone West Africa, with gleaming towers, world-class restaurants, and a cultural scene that draws artists from across the continent.

For travelers, Côte d'Ivoire offers authentic West African experiences without the tourist crowds — colonial UNESCO towns, traditional villages with sacred forests, and the genuine warmth of Ivorian hospitality.

Pre-Colonial: The region was home to numerous kingdoms and peoples. The Kong Empire in the north was a major trading center. Coastal peoples traded with European ships from the 15th century — initially in ivory, later in slaves.

French Colony (1893-1960): France formally colonized the territory, establishing cocoa and coffee plantations that would define the economy. Grand-Bassam served as the first colonial capital before disease prompted a move to Bingerville, then Abidjan.

The Houphouët-Boigny Era (1960-1993): Félix Houphouët-Boigny led the country to independence and ruled for 33 years. His policies created the "Ivorian Miracle" — rapid economic growth that made Côte d'Ivoire West Africa's showcase. He built the Basilica in his hometown Yamoussoukro, which became the new capital.

Crisis & Recovery: After his death, ethnic and political tensions erupted into civil wars (2002-2007, 2010-2011). The country has since stabilized and resumed economic growth, though scars remain.

Côte d'Ivoire occupies a square of West African territory between Ghana and Liberia, with 515 km of Atlantic coastline. The landscape transitions from coastal lagoons and rainforest in the south to savanna in the north.

The southern coast features beaches, lagoons, and the economic center of Abidjan. Dense rainforest once covered the southwest — much has been cleared for cocoa, but protected areas remain. The western highlands around Man reach 1,752 meters at Mount Nimba. The northern savanna is drier, with baobabs and traditional villages.

Major rivers include the Bandama, Sassandra, and Comoé. The Comoé National Park in the northeast protects one of West Africa's largest savanna reserves.

Côte d'Ivoire is home to over 60 ethnic groups, broadly divided into four families: Akan peoples (including Baoulé and Agni) in the east and center, Krou in the southwest, Mandé in the northwest, and Voltaic/Gur peoples in the north.

French is the official language and lingua franca, but Dioula serves as a trade language across much of the country. Nouchi — a vibrant Abidjan street slang mixing French with local languages — reflects the city's creative energy.

Traditional culture remains vibrant: the Dan people near Man are famous for stilt dancers and sacred masks. The Senufo in the north create distinctive sculptures. Akan peoples maintain elaborate chief systems and gold-working traditions. Throughout the country, sacred forests preserve spiritual traditions alongside biodiversity.

Abidjan is West Africa's Paris — a sprawling metropolis of 5 million built around the Ébrié Lagoon. Though no longer the official capital, it remains the economic heart and the city that matters.

Le Plateau is the business district, with skyscrapers and the iconic Pyramid building. Treichville pulses with markets, music venues, and the vibrant maquis restaurants. Cocody is the upscale residential area with the university and zoo. Marcory hosts the massive Marché de Cocody and lively neighborhoods.

Abidjan's nightlife rivals any African city — coupé-décalé music fills clubs, rooftop bars overlook the lagoon, and live music venues showcase Ivorian talent. The restaurant scene includes excellent Lebanese, French, and local cuisine.

Yamoussoukro is the official capital — Houphouët-Boigny's hometown transformed into a surreal monument to his vision. Wide boulevards designed for a city of millions serve a population of 300,000. The scale is deliberately awe-inspiring.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is the world's largest church — modeled on St. Peter's in Rome but taller. Its construction cost an estimated $300 million in the 1980s, a controversial use of funds in a developing nation. The air-conditioned marble interior can hold 18,000 worshippers; daily attendance is far less.

The Presidential Palace is surrounded by a crocodile-filled moat — the crocodiles were sacred to Houphouët-Boigny's family and are still fed daily. The Fondation Félix Houphouët-Boigny pour la Recherche de la Paix preserves his legacy. The city is worth visiting for its sheer improbability.

Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the first French colonial capital before yellow fever drove administrators to healthier ground. Today it's a beach getaway and living museum of colonial architecture.

The historic quarter (Quartier France) preserves decaying colonial buildings — the old governor's residence, trading houses, and the first post office. Walking the tree-lined streets feels like stepping back in time. The Musée National du Costume displays traditional Ivorian dress and artifacts.

The beach draws weekend crowds from Abidjan. Colorful pirogues (fishing boats) line the shore. Seafood restaurants serve fresh catches. The combination of history, beach, and authentic atmosphere makes Grand-Bassam essential.

The western highlands around Man offer Côte d'Ivoire's most dramatic scenery and most vibrant traditional culture. This is the homeland of the Dan (Yacouba) people, famous for their mask traditions.

The stilt dancers (échassiers) perform at festivals and special occasions — dancers on wooden stilts several meters high move with astonishing agility. Sacred masks emerge from sacred forests for ceremonies. These aren't performances for tourists but living traditions that visitors may witness with respect.

Mount Tonkoui (1,189m) offers panoramic views. La Dent de Man is a striking rocky peak. Waterfalls cascade through forested highlands. The region also borders Liberia, giving it a frontier atmosphere.

Côte d'Ivoire's 515 km of coastline offers Atlantic beaches far less developed than those of neighboring Ghana or further afield. Strong currents limit swimming in places, but the coastal atmosphere is distinctly West African.

Assinie is the premier beach resort area — palm-fringed sands, upscale hotels, and weekend escapes for Abidjan's elite. San Pedro is a port city with nearby beaches. Sassandra combines beach with colonial-era ruins and fishing village atmosphere.

The lagoon system around Abidjan offers calmer waters and fishing villages accessible by pirogue. Île Boulay in the Ébrié Lagoon is a car-free escape with traditional villages and relaxed beach atmosphere.

Taï National Park (UNESCO) protects one of West Africa's last primary rainforests. Home to pygmy hippos, forest elephants, chimpanzees, and Diana monkeys, it's a biodiversity hotspot. Visits require permits and guides.

Comoé National Park (UNESCO) is one of Africa's largest savanna reserves. The diverse habitats support elephants, lions, hippos, and hundreds of bird species. Infrastructure is limited but the wilderness is genuine.

Mount Nimba (UNESCO, shared with Guinea and Liberia) rises to 1,752m with unique highland ecosystems. The viviparous toad exists only here. Access is challenging but rewarding for adventurous hikers.

Ivorian cuisine centers on starchy staples with rich sauces. Attiéké — fermented cassava couscous — is the national starch, often served with grilled fish or chicken. Foutou (pounded plantain or yam) accompanies hearty sauces. Alloco — fried plantains — appears everywhere.

Sauce graine (palm nut sauce) and sauce arachide (peanut sauce) top many dishes. Kedjenou is chicken slowly stewed with vegetables in a sealed pot — the signature Baoulé dish. Garba — attiéké with fried tuna — is beloved street food.

Abidjan's maquis restaurants serve local food in casual open-air settings. Fresh seafood dominates the coast. Bangui (palm wine) is traditional; Flag and Bock are the local beers. French influence means good bread and pastries.

Attiéké with Grilled Fish (Garba)

The iconic street food of Abidjan, garba consists of fluffy attiéké (fermented cassava couscous) served with crispy fried or grilled fish, raw onions, tomatoes, and fiery pepper sauce. It's a complete meal that fuels the city—quick, affordable, and utterly delicious.

Ingredients: 200g attiéké (or couscous as substitute), 400g whole fish (mackerel, tilapia, or sardines), 30ml vegetable oil, 1 medium onion (thinly sliced), 2 medium tomatoes (diced), 1 cucumber (sliced), 30ml lemon juice, 1 cube Maggi bouillon (crushed), 5ml salt, Hot pepper sauce to taste.

Preparation: If using dried attiéké, steam it for 15 minutes until fluffy. Fresh attiéké just needs to be warmed through. If using couscous, prepare according to package directions. Clean and score the fish on both sides. Season generously with salt, crushed bouillon, and a drizzle of oil. Grill or pan-fry the fish over medium-high heat until crispy and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on size. Meanwhile, combine sliced onions with lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften. To serve, place a mound of attiéké on each plate. Lay the grilled fish alongside. Top with the pickled onions, fresh tomatoes, and cucumber slices. Drizzle with oil and serve with hot pepper sauce on the side.

💡 Authentic attiéké has a slightly sour, fermented taste—if using couscous, add a splash of lemon juice to approximate the flavor.

Kedjenou

This quintessential Ivorian dish is a sealed-pot chicken stew that cooks in its own juices without any added liquid. The name comes from the Baoulé word meaning "to shake"—traditionally, the clay pot (canari) is shaken rather than stirred. The result is incredibly tender, flavorful chicken.

Ingredients: 500g chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks), 1 large onion (quartered), 2 medium tomatoes (quartered), 1 small eggplant (cubed), 2 cloves garlic (crushed), 15g fresh ginger (sliced), 1 bay leaf, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 hot pepper (whole), 5ml salt, 2ml black pepper, 1 cube chicken bouillon.

Preparation: Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and crumbled bouillon. Place in a heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid. Add the onion, tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, ginger, bay leaf, thyme, and whole hot pepper around and on top of the chicken. Do not add any water or oil. Cover the pot tightly—you can seal the lid with a flour-water paste for a truly authentic seal. Place over low heat and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Every 15 minutes, shake the pot gently (don't lift the lid) to prevent sticking. The dish is ready when the chicken is completely tender and has released its juices to create a natural sauce. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Serve the kedjenou hot with attiéké, rice, or foutou (pounded plantain).

💡 The key is keeping the lid sealed—all the moisture comes from the vegetables and chicken. Use the lowest heat possible to prevent burning.

Alloco

These crispy fried plantains are Côte d'Ivoire's favorite snack and side dish, sold at every street corner and served at every celebration. The plantains should be ripe enough to be sweet but firm enough to hold their shape when fried. Served with a spicy onion-tomato sauce, they're irresistible.

Ingredients: 3 ripe plantains (yellow with black spots), Vegetable oil for frying, Salt to taste, For the sauce, 2 medium tomatoes (diced), 1 medium onion (thinly sliced), 1 hot pepper (minced), 30ml vegetable oil, 15ml lemon juice, 3ml salt.

Preparation: Make the sauce: Combine tomatoes, onion, hot pepper, oil, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl. Let marinate while you prepare the plantains. Peel the plantains and cut into diagonal slices about 1.5cm thick. The diagonal cut gives more surface area for crispiness. Heat oil (about 3cm deep) in a heavy skillet to 175°C. The oil should shimmer but not smoke. Fry the plantain slices in batches, without overcrowding, for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized at the edges. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season immediately with salt while still hot. Serve the hot alloco with the fresh tomato-onion sauce on the side for dipping.

💡 The ripeness of the plantains matters—too green and they'll be starchy, too ripe and they'll fall apart. Look for yellow skin with black spots.

Coupé-décalé emerged from Abidjan in the early 2000s and conquered dance floors across Africa and beyond. The name roughly means "to cheat and run" — a reference to Ivorians in Paris living large despite uncertain circumstances. The music features rapid rhythms, call-and-response vocals, and irresistible dance moves.

Artists like DJ Arafat (1986-2019) achieved legendary status. His death prompted national mourning and a funeral attended by tens of thousands. Serge Beynaud, Kerozen, and others continue the tradition. Related styles include zouglou (socially conscious) and zoblazo.

Abidjan's clubs pulse with live performances and DJ sets. The music scene is central to Ivorian identity — a creative expression of resilience and joy that emerged from difficult times.

Côte d'Ivoire's drinking culture is among the most vibrant in West Africa — a boisterous, music-fueled affair centered on the iconic maquis, open-air bar-restaurants that serve as the social heart of Ivorian life. As the world's largest cocoa producer and one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, the country has developed a diverse drinking landscape that spans traditional palm wine, industrial lagers, artisanal spirits, and an emerging taste for imported wine among Abidjan's cosmopolitan elite.

Maquis Evening in Abidjan · At a bustling Abidjan maquis — the open-air bar-restaurants that define Ivorian nightlife — bandji palm wine and cold Flag beer accompany plates of grilled fish, alloco, and attiéké.

🍺 Beer Nation

Beer dominates Côte d'Ivoire's commercial drinking scene, with Flag (Brasseries de Côte d'Ivoire, a Castel Group subsidiary) reigning as the undisputed national brand. This golden lager, served in large 65cl bottles, is the default order at every maquis in the country. Bock, a slightly sweeter, darker beer, holds a loyal following in the northern regions and among older drinkers. Other players include Ivoire and Beaufort, but Flag's dominance is near-total. Beer in Côte d'Ivoire is always served ice-cold — warm beer is considered an insult — and bottles are shared communally, with one person typically buying a "tour" (round) for the table.

🌴 Bandji & Koutoukou

Bandji is Côte d'Ivoire's traditional palm wine — a milky, slightly fizzy, mildly alcoholic drink tapped from oil and raffia palms. In the southern and western forests, bandji is consumed fresh from the tree, its sweetness diminishing as natural fermentation progresses throughout the day. Morning bandji is gentle and sweet; evening bandji is sour and kicks harder. When bandji is distilled, it becomes koutoukou — a fearsome, crystal-clear spirit that ranges from 40% to over 60% ABV. Koutoukou is the drink of the working class, sold in informal bars called koutoukou-dromes for a fraction of the price of beer. Despite periodic government crackdowns over safety concerns, koutoukou remains deeply embedded in Ivorian culture, particularly in rural communities and among the Bété, Dida, and Guéré peoples of the west.

🎶 Maquis Culture

The maquis is to Côte d'Ivoire what the pub is to England or the izakaya to Japan — far more than just a place to drink. These open-air establishments, ranging from simple bamboo-and-thatch setups to elaborately decorated venues, combine bar, restaurant, and nightclub into one sprawling social space. Food is essential to the maquis experience: poisson braisé (grilled fish with onion-tomato sauce), alloco (fried plantains), and attiéké (fermented cassava couscous) are standard accompaniments. Music — coupé-décalé, zouglou, and Ivorian reggae — plays at volumes that make conversation an athletic endeavor. The greatest maquis become legendary: places like Chez Ambroise in Cocody or the grilled fish stalls of Abidjan's Zone 4 are pilgrimage sites for food and drink lovers across West Africa.

The south has an equatorial climate — hot and humid year-round with two rainy seasons (May-July and October-November). The north is drier with a single rainy season (June-October). Harmattan winds bring dry, dusty air from the Sahara December-February.

Best time: December-February offers dry weather and comfortable temperatures. The minor dry season (August-September) is also pleasant in the south. Avoid the peak rainy seasons for travel in the interior.

By Air: Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ) in Abidjan has excellent connections to Paris (Air France), Brussels (Brussels Airlines), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian), and regional hubs. Air Côte d'Ivoire serves regional routes.

By Land: Border crossings exist with Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Liberia, though conditions vary. The Ghana border at Elubo/Noé is well-used.

Visa: Most nationalities require visas, available online (e-visa) or through embassies. Yellow fever vaccination certificate required.

Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF), pegged to the Euro and shared with seven other countries. ATMs available in cities; cash needed in rural areas.

Language: French is official and widely spoken. Dioula is useful for markets. English is rare.

Safety: The country has stabilized significantly since 2011. Abidjan is generally safe with normal precautions. Some western border areas warrant caution. Check current advisories.

Health: Yellow fever vaccination required. Malaria prophylaxis essential. Medical facilities in Abidjan are reasonable; limited elsewhere.

Getting Around: Shared taxis and bush taxis connect cities. Internal flights serve major towns. Rental cars available but driving standards challenging.

Côte d'Ivoire is moderately priced — budget travelers can manage on $40-60/day, mid-range travelers on $80-150/day. Abidjan is more expensive than the interior.

Abidjan: The widest range, from international chains (Sofitel, Pullman, Radisson) in Plateau and Cocody to budget options in Treichville and Marcory. Airbnb increasingly available. Hotels Noom and Seen are popular mid-range choices.

Grand-Bassam: Beach hotels and guesthouses line the shore. Options from simple rooms to boutique colonial-style hotels. Book ahead for weekends when Abidjan residents escape the city.

Yamoussoukro: Limited options near the Basilica — President Hotel and a few guesthouses. Most visitors day-trip from Abidjan.

Man & West: Basic hotels and guesthouses. Standards are simpler than the coast. Les Cascades hotel in Man is the main tourist option.

Assinie: Beach resorts ranging from budget to luxury. Assinie-Mafia has several upmarket options. Book well ahead for holidays.

Independence Day (August 7) — The main national celebration with parades, concerts, and fireworks. Fête du Dipri (March/April) — Sacred Abidji ceremony in Gomon village where villagers enter trances to purify the community. One of West Africa's most mystical events.

Fête des Masques (February/March) — The Dan region near Man hosts mask festivals where sacred masks emerge from the forest. Stilt dancers perform extraordinary feats. Timing varies — inquire locally.

MASA (Marché des Arts du Spectacle Africain) — Major biennial performing arts festival in Abidjan showcasing music, dance, and theater from across Africa. Festival des Musiques Urbaines d'Anoumabo (FEMUA) — Annual music festival founded by Magic System, bringing African and international artists to Abidjan.

Religious: Major Muslim holidays (Eid) celebrated in the north. Catholic festivals, particularly around the Basilica. Traditional ceremonies throughout the year in rural areas.

Île Boulay: Car-free island in the Ébrié Lagoon, accessible by pirogue from Abidjan. Traditional villages, quiet beaches, and escape from city chaos. Spend a night for the full experience.

Jacqueville: Sleepy lagoon town west of Abidjan with colonial ruins, traditional stilt fishing, and uncrowded beaches. The road along the lagoon is scenic.

Sassandra: Faded colonial port town with atmospheric ruins, a French fort, and excellent fresh seafood. Nearby beaches are some of the coast's best.

Kong: Ancient trading town in the north with a historic mosque and connections to trans-Saharan trade routes. Remote but rewarding.

Boundiali: Northern town known for Senufo art and traditional weaving. The weekly market draws people from surrounding villages.

Parc National de la Marahoué: Less visited than Taï or Comoé, with rainforest wildlife and chimpanzees.

Essential: Lightweight, breathable clothing. Long sleeves and pants for evenings (mosquitoes). Comfortable walking shoes for city markets. Sandals for beach. Rain jacket (wet season). Sun protection.

Health: Antimalarials (essential). DEET insect repellent. First aid kit. Hand sanitizer. Water purification tablets for remote areas. Any prescription medications you need.

Tech: Power adapters (Type C/E European plugs). Power bank. Unlocked phone for local SIM. Camera with good low-light for nightlife photos.

Documents: Passport with 6+ months validity. Yellow fever certificate (required). Visa documentation. Copies of everything stored separately.

Cultural: Conservative dress for mosque visits and rural areas. Modest swimwear for beaches outside resorts. Small gifts for village visits (not money — school supplies, food).

Official Sources: Côte d'Ivoire Tourism (cotedivoire-tourisme.ci) • Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire (in your country) • e-Visa portal (snedai.ci)

Emergency Contacts: Police: 170 • Fire: 180 • SAMU (ambulance): 185 • US Embassy Abidjan: +225 27 22 49 40 00

Connectivity: Orange, MTN, and Moov are main mobile carriers. Orange has best coverage. 4G available in cities. Buy SIM at airport or phone shops with passport.

Maps: Maps.me works offline. Google Maps adequate for cities. OSMAnd for detailed rural areas.

News: Fraternité Matin (French daily) • Abidjan.net • Jeune Afrique coverage

Fiction: Allah Is Not Obliged by Ahmadou Kourouma — devastating, darkly comic novel about child soldiers by Côte d'Ivoire's most celebrated author. The Suns of Independence — Kourouma's debut, satirizing post-colonial politics.

Non-Fiction: Bitter Chocolate by Carol Off — investigates cocoa industry and child labor in Côte d'Ivoire. The Fate of Africa by Martin Meredith — includes chapters on Houphouët-Boigny era.

Travel: West Africa (Lonely Planet) — the standard regional guide with Côte d'Ivoire chapter. Bradt guides occasionally cover the region.

History: A History of Côte d'Ivoire — academic works by scholars like Robert Mundt cover the country's complex trajectory.

Music: Search for DJ Arafat performances — the late coupé-décalé legend in his element. Magic System's "Premier Gaou" video introduced millions to Ivorian music. Serge Beynaud live shows capture contemporary energy.

Documentaries: The Dark Side of Chocolate — documentary on cocoa industry labor issues. Various Vice and DW documentaries cover the civil war aftermath and recovery.

Travel: Search YouTube for "Côte d'Ivoire travel" — growing number of vloggers covering Abidjan, Grand-Bassam, and even remote areas. "Ivoire" channel covers local perspectives.

Cultural: Search for "Dan stilt dancers" or "Fête du Dipri" to see traditional ceremonies. The Basilica of Yamoussoukro features in numerous architectural documentaries.

Chocolate Empire: Côte d'Ivoire produces over 40% of the world's cocoa — more than the next two countries combined. Yet most Ivorians have never tasted chocolate, as nearly all cocoa is exported raw.

The Basilica: Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro holds the Guinness record as the world's largest church, covering 30,000 m² with a dome taller than St. Peter's in Rome. It cost $300 million in 1980s money — controversial in a developing nation, but undeniably spectacular.

Two Capitals: Yamoussoukro is the official capital (since 1983), but Abidjan remains the economic capital and seat of most government functions — and has 20 times the population.

Language Innovation: Nouchi, the Abidjan street slang, mixes French with Dioula, English, and invented words. It started in the 1980s among urban youth and now features in music, film, and daily conversation.

Sacred Forests: Traditional villages maintain sacred forests forbidden to outsiders — these have accidentally preserved biodiversity that would otherwise have been lost to cocoa plantations.

Literature: Ahmadou Kourouma — the country's greatest writer, winner of major French literary prizes. Bernard Dadié — poet, novelist, and politician known as the "father of Ivorian literature."

Music: DJ Arafat (1986-2019) — coupé-décalé legend whose death prompted national mourning. Alpha Blondy — reggae icon with international following. Magic System — zouglou group known globally for "Premier Gaou." Tiken Jah Fakoly — reggae artist and activist.

Football: Didier Drogba — Chelsea legend, national hero, and peace advocate who helped end the civil war. Yaya Touré — Manchester City midfield maestro. Gervinho — international forward.

Politics: Félix Houphouët-Boigny — "Father of the Nation," ruled 1960-1993, built the Basilica. Alassane Ouattara — current president, economist who led post-war recovery.

Fashion: Pathé'O — designer known for traditional-modern fusion. Chris Seydou — pioneering African fashion designer who showed in Paris.

Football Dominance: Football is religion in Côte d'Ivoire. The Elephants won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1992, 2015, and hosted/won in 2024. The "Golden Generation" featuring Drogba, Touré brothers, and Kalou Salomon became global stars.

Peace Through Football: Didier Drogba famously asked combatants in the 2006 civil war to lay down their arms after Côte d'Ivoire qualified for the World Cup. The national team played a qualifier in rebel-held Bouaké to promote reconciliation.

Domestic League: Ligue 1 features clubs like ASEC Mimosas (Abidjan's powerhouse and Drogba's youth club), Africa Sports, and Stade d'Abidjan. Matches are passionate community events.

Other Sports: Basketball growing in popularity. Athletics produces sprinters and distance runners. Traditional wrestling (lutte) remains popular in rural areas.

Press Landscape: Fraternité Matin is the government-owned daily. Private papers include Le Patriote, Notre Voie, and numerous opposition publications. Press freedom improved after the 2010-11 crisis but concerns remain.

Television: RTI (state broadcaster) dominates. Private channels include A+ Ivoire and LC2. French channels widely watched. TV5 Monde and France 24 available.

Radio: Radio is king — Radio Côte d'Ivoire (state), Nostalgie, Radio Jam, and dozens of local stations. Essential for rural communities. Mix of French, Dioula, and local languages.

Digital: Abidjan.net and Koaci.com are popular news portals. Social media (Facebook, WhatsApp) increasingly important. Mobile internet expanding rapidly.

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Grand-Bassam

Colonial UNESCO town with colorful fishing boats at sunset