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Ivory Coast
Africa
One of the world's largest cocoa producers, Ivory Coast is a key economic hub in West Africa with a diverse culture and growing infrastructure.
30,000,000
Population
322,463
Area (km²)
Yamoussoukro
Capital
19
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
19 Events
September 01, 2025 - The government formally bars opposition leaders Tidjane Thiam (PDCI) and Laurent Gbagbo (PPA-CI) from the presidential race due to legal convictions. Simone Gbagbo announces her candidacy against Ouattara, while thousands protest the exclusions. Well-above-average rains boost the main cocoa crop, supporting economic projections. The country signs a $322.5 million U.S. energy compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation to enhance regional power infrastructure.
August 01, 2025 - A revived rebel hub in Bouaké, a former stronghold from the 2002–2011 civil war, highlights economic booms under Ouattara but also burdens like inequality and youth unemployment. Armed men linked to al-Qaida affiliates kill four in an attack, raising security concerns.
June 01, 2025 - Ouattara signals intent to seek a controversial fourth term, sparking a democratic crisis and opposition unity against his candidacy.
May 01, 2025 - Rumors of a coup spread via social media, prompting mass protests and internet shutdown fears; Ouattara appears publicly at a cabinet meeting to dispel them.
January 01, 2025 - Preparations intensify for the October presidential election, with analysts noting it as a test for democratic resilience amid ethnic and regional divides.
December 01, 2024 - President Ouattara announces the withdrawal of French troops from their last base in Port-Bouët, ending decades of post-colonial military presence.
September 15, 2024 - Forcible evictions and home demolitions continue in Abidjan's flood-prone areas, displacing thousands without compensation. Over 60,000 Burkinabe refugees arrive by year-end, fleeing Islamist insurgencies in Burkina Faso. The economy grows by 6.5%, fueled by cocoa prices and investment, with projections for sustained 6%+ growth.
September 01, 2024 - A social media campaign by influencers incites over 45 violent attacks on LGBT+ individuals in Abidjan, amid rising homophobia.
June 10, 2024 - President Ouattara issues an executive order imposing new restrictions on NGOs, requiring activity reports and allowing government dissolution of groups seen as threats to public order.
June 05, 2024 - The African Meeting of the Econometric Society takes place in Abidjan, fostering academic and economic discussions.
May 01, 2024 - The Africa CEO Forum is held in Abidjan, highlighting investment opportunities and economic reforms.
January 13, 2024 - Côte d'Ivoire hosts the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the national team defeating Nigeria 2–1 in the final in Abidjan to win the tournament for the third time.
November 01, 2023 - The ECOWAS Court of Justice orders the government to pay 50 million CFA francs ($83,728) in compensation to villagers affected by harmful mining activities by an Indian-owned company.
October 01, 2023 - President Alassane Ouattara dismisses Prime Minister Patrick Achi and appoints Robert Beugré Mambé, former head of the Independent Electoral Commission, as the new prime minister.
September 01, 2023 - The ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) wins a majority in largely peaceful municipal and regional elections, securing 123 of 201 municipalities and 25 of 31 regions; the opposition alliance of PDCI-RDA and PPA-CI claims 34 municipalities and 4 regions, but PPA-CI rejects results alleging fraud. RHDP also wins 56 of 66 Senate seats in indirect elections.
August 01, 2023 - Former President Henri Konan Bédié, leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire–African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), dies at age 89.
April 01, 2023 - The National Press Authority suspends the opposition-leaning newspaper Le Temps for six issues over a photo deemed harmful to the judiciary and bans its director from publishing for three months.
March 01, 2023 - Twenty-six of the arrested PPA-CI supporters are sentenced to two years in prison for disturbing public order, with sentences later suspended on appeal.
February 01, 2023 - Civil society leader Pulchérie Gbalet is conditionally released from prison after months of detention for advocating the release of Ivorian soldiers held in Mali; conditions include passport seizure and restricted speech. Thirty-one supporters of the opposition African Peoples' Party–Côte d'Ivoire (PPA-CI) are arrested during a protest in Abidjan in support of the party's secretary general.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ivory Coast
100 Questions
It is in West Africa, bordered by Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The political capital is Yamoussoukro, but the largest city and economic hub is Abidjan.
Around 30 million people as of 2025 estimates.
French is the official language; over 70 local languages are spoken, including Baoulé, Dioula, and Bété.
Tropical along the coast, semi-arid in the north, with distinct rainy and dry seasons.
The West African CFA franc (XOF).
Vertical stripes of orange, white, and green.
Abidjan, Bouaké, Daloa, San Pedro, and Korhogo.
On August 7, 1960, from France.
Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who ruled until 1993.
Alassane Ouattara (as of 2025).
A presidential republic.
Akan, Voltaique (Gur), Northern Mande, Southern Mande, Krou, and others.
Islam (about 40%), Christianity (about 30%), and traditional beliefs.
Around $95 billion in 2025 estimates.
Around $3,000.
Around 90% among youth, but lower overall (~50–60%).
About 61 years.
About 4.5 children per woman.
About 60%.
Cocoa, coffee, cashews, palm oil, cotton, and oil.
Machinery, fuel, food, and chemicals.
Cocoa, coffee, oil, natural gas, gold, diamonds, manganese, and nickel.
It supplies about 40% of global cocoa production.
Bandama, Comoé, Sassandra, and Cavally.
Mount Nimba (1,752 m).
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+0).
Rice, cassava, plantains, maize, yams, and fish.
A mashed yam or plantain dish, eaten with sauce.
A couscous-like dish made from fermented cassava.
A slow-cooked chicken or guinea fowl stew with vegetables.
Palm wine, ginger juice, bissap (hibiscus tea), and coffee.
Attiéké with grilled fish.
Football (soccer), rugby, basketball, and athletics.
Yes, in 1992 and 2015.
Yes, three times (2006, 2010, 2014).
Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, and Kolo Touré.
The Elephants.
Coupé-décalé, zouglou, reggae, and traditional drumming.
A world-famous Ivorian reggae musician.
An Ivorian music group famous for zouglou.
Colorful wax-print fabrics and traditional wraps.
Active in markets, farming, and politics, though inequality remains.
Around 45%.
Around 60%.
High, especially among youth.
Around 50%.
Cocoa, coffee, cashews, palm oil, and cotton.
Cattle, goats, poultry, and pigs.
Moderate, tied to the CFA franc zone.
Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Abidjan) and Université de Bouaké.
Improving, but rural areas still face poor access.
Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, and diarrheal diseases.
High, though improving.
Still among the highest in West Africa.
“L’Abidjanaise.”
“Union, Discipline, Travail” (“Unity, Discipline, Work”).
The elephant.
The white-cheeked turaco.
The hibiscus.
Skyscrapers, lagoon, port, and being the cultural capital.
Home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the world’s largest church.
Major port and cocoa-export hub.
The country’s second-largest city, with strong cultural traditions.
Center of Senoufo culture and crafts.
FĂŞtes des Masques (Mask Festival), Independence Day, and zouglou music festivals.
A traditional festival celebrating mask dancing in Man.
A leading economy and political influence in West Africa.
Active in peacekeeping and diplomacy.
Contributor to peacekeeping and recipient of development aid.
Around 90%, higher than adults.
Around $3,000 annually.
Declining but still high.
Over 50%, with Abidjan the largest city.
Focused on farming and cocoa production.
Hydropower and oil.
Strong in solar and hydro.
Dependence on cocoa and vulnerability to price changes.
Tensions over succession, elections, and reconciliation after past conflicts.
A conflict (2002–2007) between the north and south of the country.
A conflict in 2010–2011 after disputed elections between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara.
Former president (2000–2011), arrested after refusing to concede elections.
Current president, re-elected in contested 2020 elections.
The country’s founding father and first president.
Former president (1993–1999), who died in 2023.
Major trade partner and military ally.
Heavy investor in infrastructure and trade.
Trade partner, cocoa buyer, and development supporter.
Communities in France, U.S., and neighboring African states.
Less significant than in some African states, but growing.
About 15% difference.
Lower than rural women, around 3 children per woman.
Moderate, tied to CFA franc stability.
Moderate, higher around Abidjan.
Elephants, chimpanzees, pygmy hippos, and duikers.
Taï National Park, Comoé National Park, and Banco National Park.
A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest with pygmy hippos and monkeys.
A UNESCO site, one of the largest protected areas in West Africa.
Strong economy, but risks from politics and climate change.
It is the world’s largest cocoa producer, a major West African economy, and a cultural and political hub.