Second in a two-part collection.
ASSINIE-MAFIA, Côte d’Ivoire — For a few years, the Western media has portrayed Africa poorly by way of a “crisis-centric” lens of conflict, corrupt authorities officers, and poverty. This contains derogatory remarks from President Donald Trump throughout his first time period, when he described Africa as a “sh*thole” nation.
Now greater than ever, although, with the explosion of Afrobeats and Nollywood, folks exterior the continent can see what number of international locations have change into tourism locations, together with Kenya, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), to call a couple of.
Prince Edja, a tourism advisor to the Ivorian authorities, mentioned a brand new technology in Côte d’Ivoire is set to interrupt outdated perceptions of Africa, pushing for improvement and a recent narrative that challenges long-held stereotypes.
“Now we have improvement; now we have a technology that desires to vary issues; we need to break the notion, the narrative about Africa … I perceive what he mentioned due to his viewpoint, as a result of he must journey, he must study extra about historical past, study extra about Ivory Coast, study extra about Africa,” Edja mentioned of Trump.
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Edja mentioned previous African leaders “weren’t desirous about the well-being or welfare of the nation, however these days, new leaders are arising, and folks perceive that we have to change Africa by ourselves.”
Ivorian economic system grows, showcasing vibrant tradition
In line with the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF), the Ivoirien economic system has performed simply that, performing strongly over the previous decade, with a Gross Home Product (GDP) development averaging 6.4% and inflation hovering round 2.2%. To date, the nation’s GDP for 2025 is $95.46 billion. The IMF additionally reported “a declining proportion of the inhabitants dwelling beneath the nationwide poverty line.”
Right this moment, the world sees a distinct story of Africa, in line with Joel Williams, an Ivorian citizen and cultivator of arts and tradition. “It modified as a result of we present the suitable issues proper now,” Williams instructed the AmNews. “Let’s say, 10 years in the past, we have been displaying the conflict, we have been displaying the dangerous facet of Africa, and now they see that folks get pleasure from the identical as they do in Europe or the USA.”
The Ivory Coast has the “better of each worlds” to supply vacationers from aboard, Williams mentioned.
“[In] the Ivory Coast, you’ll be able to have all the pieces on the similar time; you’ve got mountains, you’ve got seashores, you’ve got forests, you’ve got lagoons, you’ve got all kinds of landscapes; all kinds of dance and tradition,” he mentioned.
Williams has traveled to a number of continents and doesn’t need folks to suppose that as a result of he’s Ivorian, he’s promoting his nation, however he actually believes it’s a good spot to go to. He raved concerning the events: “The events are simply loopy. On daily basis, now we have [a] social gathering — typically you simply ask, ‘When [do] folks go to work?’” he mentioned with fun.
Language barrier within the Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast is broadly often called a predominantly French-speaking nation, which can discourage vacationers who solely converse English from visiting. In line with Edja, although, there’s no want to fret for those who don’t converse French as a result of its residents are worldly.
“Lots of people converse English; I [and] my complete workforce [do] as a result of I’ve a tourism company. They’re studying at school, they journey loads,” Edja mentioned. “You’ll additionally discover professionals who’re bilingual and trilingual, so don’t fear — come go to. Now we have the services, now we have the competence to welcome you [and] take excellent care of you on this nation.”
Past on a regular basis interactions, Ivory Coast’s rising tourism trade has made efforts to accommodate English-speaking guests. Locations like Abidjan and Assinie, recognized for his or her vibrant tradition and historical past, are notably welcoming to worldwide vacationers. “Once you come and go to the Ivory Coast, nobody will suppose you’re a foreigner, as a result of we simply combine and mingle with the folks,” Edja mentioned.
Everyone seems to be welcome, even sports activities followers
The Ivory Coast is numerous, attracting Europeans, People, and Africans from throughout the continent to their seashores and cities. For instance, each Sunday, folks from everywhere in the continent journey for a luxurious brunch on the seashore on the five-star resort at La Maison D’akoula, an hour from the capital of Abidjan.
The nation additionally held the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which they gained in opposition to Nigeria. It’s their second time internet hosting the occasion; the primary time was in 1984, when solely eight nations participated; this time round, 24 joined in. The nation invested $1 billion within the total sporting occasion. The occasion was seen by about 2 billion folks, in line with Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe. One U.Ok.-based sporting information firm, Opta, dubbed it probably the most thrilling ever.
Not solely are foreigners describing the nation’s happenings as superb, however Williams mentioned the widespread factor he hears from guests is that “Côte d’Ivoire is so welcoming.”
