|
Yamoussoukro Profile |
Yamoussoukro Profile |
Yamoussoukro Profile | Yamoussoukro Profile |
For information, videos and photos of the Ivory Coast check out our Côte d'Ivoire profile pages.
More >
 |
|
Yamoussoukro grew rapidly from it 475 inhabitants at the turn of the 20th century to some 279,977 today (2023) yet still feels decades away from the vibrant metropolis Houphouët-Boigny had envisaged with many of its large streets remaining just that, an empty grid of streets devoid of buildings.
Yamoussoukro's economic profile stands on two main pillars: public administration and agriculture. As the political capital, it is home to government ministries, the senate, and other state institutions, making the public sector the city's largest employer. This administrative function also supports a host of ancillary services, from hospitality for visiting dignitaries to local businesses catering to civil servants. The other economic engine is education. The city is home to the prestigious Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB), a leading technical university in West Africa, which draws students from across the continent. This academic presence injects a youthful, intellectual energy into the city. Surrounding the urban core, the fertile land supports a robust agricultural sector. The region is known for producing yams - from which the former village of Yamousso derives its name - as well as cocoa, coffee, banana plantain, manioc, tomato, gumbo, aubergine and other staple crops. This agricultural wealth grounds the city in its regional context, connecting its grand political ambitions to the soil that has sustained its people for centuries. For any visitor, Yamoussoukro is a city of architectural wonders that feels both magnificent and surreal: The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix): This is the city's crown jewel and its most famous landmark (above). Completed in 1989, it is the largest Christian church in the world, surpassing even St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, upon which its design is modelled. Its immense dome dominates the skyline, and its 36 massive stained-glass windows filter a kaleidoscope of light into the cavernous interior. Standing in its vast, often empty plaza, one can't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the vision.The Presidential Palace and its Sacred Crocodiles: While the palace itself is heavily guarded and not open to the public, its moat is home to a famous population of Nile crocodiles. These reptiles are considered sacred by many locals, and a daily feeding ritual provides a spectacle for onlookers as the massive creatures lunge for their meal. The Houphouët-Boigny Peace Foundation: An impressive piece of architecture in its own right, this vast complex serves as a conference centre and research institute dedicated to promoting peace, a cause dear to the late president. The Great Mosque: A testament to the country's religious diversity, the Great Mosque of Yamoussoukro is a beautiful example of modern Islamic architecture, with its elegant minaret and pristine white façade. Despite its status and monumental infrastructure, Yamoussoukro faces significant challenges. The most prominent is its role as an "unfinished capital." Decades after the official declaration, the full transfer of governmental and diplomatic functions from Abidjan has yet to be realised. Most embassies, major corporate headquarters, and key ministries remain in the economic hub, leaving Yamoussoukro in a state of perpetual anticipation. This has created economic hurdles as the city is heavily reliant on public sector spending, and there is a need for greater private investment to diversify the local economy and create more jobs. Furthermore, maintaining the grandiose infrastructure—the wide highways, immaculate public gardens, and monumental buildings—requires a significant and continuous financial commitment. |
Life in Yamoussoukro moves at a distinctly slower pace than in Abidjan. The city's sprawling layout, with its broad avenues and generous green spaces, contributes to a feeling of openness and calm. The population is a mix of the native Baoulé people and a significant community of civil servants, academics, and students drawn to the city's administrative and educational institutions. A typical day begins with the soft light of morning filtering through the trees. Street vendors set up their stalls, selling fresh bread, fruits, and alloco (fried plantains). The city's heart beats not in a single central business district, but in its various neighbourhoods and markets, where commerce and community intertwine. Residents gather at local maquis - open-air restaurants - in the evenings to share a meal of grilled fish or chicken with attiéké (cassava couscous) and discuss the day's events.
