Abidjan

Abidjan, the largest city and former capital of Côte d’Ivoire, exemplifies the swift urbanization and economic development of West Africa. As of the 2021 census, this vibrant metropolis has a population of 6.3 million, constituting 21.5% of the nation’s residents, so ranking as the sixth most populated city in Africa. Abidjan’s advantageous position on the southeast coast of Côte d’Ivoire, adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea and the Ébrié Lagoon, has been instrumental in its evolution as a significant commercial and cultural center.

The city’s growth trajectory shifted markedly with the establishment of a new port in 1931, subsequently leading to its designation as the capital of the French colony in 1933. The construction of the Vridi Canal in 1951 was a pivotal moment, converting Abidjan into an essential seaport. This advancement established the groundwork for the city’s future as an economic stronghold.

Following Côte d’Ivoire’s independence from France in 1960, Abidjan remained the city until 1983, when Yamoussoukro was established as the formal political capital. Notwithstanding this alteration, Abidjan maintained its designation as the “economic capital” of the nation, a term it continues to possess. The city continues to be the hub of commercial activity, accommodating several political organizations and international embassies.

The distinctive terrain of Abidjan enhances its varied urban landscape. The city has various separate districts, each possessing its own character:

• Le Plateau: The central business district
• Cocody and Deux Plateaux: Affluent neighborhoods and diplomatic hubs
• Adjamé: A densely populated area north of the lagoon
• Treichville and Marcory: Southern districts
• Attecoube, Locodjro, Abobo Doume, and Yopougon: Western areas
• Port Bouët: Home to the airport and main seaport

The Abidjan Autonomous District, encompassing the city and its suburbs, is one of the 14 districts of Côte d’Ivoire, underscoring its administrative significance.

The population of Abidjan exemplifies the cultural variety of West Africa. The city has a confluence of several nationalities, enhancing its dynamic social fabric. The variety has established French as the lingua franca of the metropolitan region, with Abidjan ranking as the third-largest French-speaking metropolitan area worldwide, behind Kinshasa and Paris.

Abidjan has created a distinct colloquial French, marked by unusual accent and terminology. This linguistic history has resulted in Abidjan being acknowledged as one of the rare regions in Africa where French is really a local language, alongside Libreville in Gabon.

The skyline of Abidjan narrates the tale of its rapid industrialization. Districts such as Plateau and Cocody experienced the emergence of substantial office skyscrapers and residential complexes, especially from the 1970s until the mid-1980s. The CCIA building, an iconic skyscraper finished in 1982, represents this urban evolution.

Conversely, historic districts like Treichville and Marcory have preserved the “concession” system, wherein residential and commercial spaces coexist in a configuration reminiscent of ancient African settlements. The contrast between contemporary and traditional urban layout illustrates Abidjan’s distinctive identity.

Cocody, recognized for its wealth, has single-story wooden mansions enveloped by verdant gardens, thriving due to the area’s abundant rainfall. Certain affluent individuals have erected houses modeled after Greek temples, contributing an eclectic architectural feature to the urban landscape.

Abidjan’s economic importance extends beyond Côte d’Ivoire, impacting the whole West African area. The city’s deep-water port, inaugurated in 1951, has been a pivotal contributor to its economic strength. The 15-meter deep Vridi Canal enables huge vessels to berth, hence promoting international trade.

Abidjan, being a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), utilizes the CFA franc as its currency inside the Franc Zone. The city’s comprehensive road network, encompassing 5,600 km of paved highways as of 1995, has enhanced its port operations, with 50% of commerce from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger transiting via Abidjan.

The port manages 60% of the nation’s industrial operations, processing 12 million tonnes of traffic in 1995, which includes 5.5 million tonnes of petroleum products. Abidjan’s economy is multifaceted, with aspirations in oil extraction, refining, and distribution. Principal exports consist of coffee, cocoa, lumber, bananas, pineapples, and manganese.

Abidjan’s dynamic culture and nightlife have garnered it epithets such as “Manhattan of the Tropics” and “Pearl of the Lagoons.” The city has a combination of commercial and recreational amenities, rendering it an appealing locale for business tourism.

Abidjan’s nightlife landscape is vibrant and varied, with an abundance of nightclubs, maquis (open-air eateries), and pubs. The music landscape has transformed considerably since the early 2000s, marked by the rise of Coupé Décalé, a genre that has proliferated across the sub-region and endowed Abidjan with a unique cultural character.

Traditional Zouglou music continues to thrive, with venues such as the Internat at Fitini’s and the Lycee at Vieux Gazeur’s drawing enthusiasts on the weekends. Treichville, once the entertainment center, has been supplanted by Youpougon, Marcory, and Cocody, which now provide many options for nightlife and cultural pursuits.