One of the most prosperous West African francophone nations, Cote d’Ivoire was previously known as Ivory Coast. Today in 1960, it won its independence from France after being boarded by countries such as Guinea, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, and countries along the Gulf of Guinea.
The country’s population is made up of Muslims, Christians, and people of other indigenous religions who speak over 78 different languages.
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While one of the several island empires dominated Cote d’Ivoire for centuries, the French began exploring the region in the 1600s but did not acquire control of the country until the mid-1800.
Abidjan is the country’s economic and financial center, whereas Yamoussoukro is its political and administrative heart. The population of Cote d’Ivoire is estimated at 25.72 million people, making it the world’s 53rd most populous country.
Cote d’Ivoire, the world’s leading producer of cocoa beans, supplied 33% of global cocoa in 2017 and produced 1.8 million tonnes.
Despite its agricultural advancements, Cote d’Ivoire has been plagued by deadly civil wars that have slowed down the country’s progress.
Despite these difficulties, the country has produced notable figures in a variety of sectors, including athletics, music, and academia.
Here are five persons who have made Cote d’Ivoire a household name.
Isaach De Bankole
Born in Abidjan, Isaach De Bankole is of Yoruba heritage. He’s one of Cote d’Ivoire’s most well-known actors. His filmography includes roles in more than fifty films, including Night on Earth, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Coffee and Cigarettes, and The Limits of Control, all directed by Jim Jarmusch. Black Panther, a superhero picture, also featured the talented actor. Since 1997, he’s been living in the United States.
Didier Drogba
A striker, Didier Drogba hails from Ivory Coast and played professionally in Europe. Ivory Coast and Chelsea FC both had him as their captain. While in England, he was the all-time leading goal scorer for a foreign player while playing as a physically aggressive out-and-out striker.
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In addition, he became Chelsea’s all-time fourth leading goalscorer, with more goals than any other foreign player. Drogba has become a footballing icon for Ivorian fans after receiving the African Footballer of the Year award twice, in 2006 and 2009.
DJ Arafat
Ivorian DJ and vocalist DJ Arafat specializes in Coupé-Décalé music.
He is the son of artist Tina Glamour and musician Houon Pierre. In Francophone nations all over the world, he is regarded as one of the most popular African artists. In less than a day, DJ Arafat’s single ‘Moto Moto’ had 1 million views, making him one of the fastest in his country to achieve this feat.
Alpha Blondy
Reggae singer Alpha Blondy, 66, is a well-known international performer. Several of his songs, most of which are sung in his native Djoula language, are inspired by current events and political concerns.
Blondy was the eldest of eight children who were reared by their grandmother, and his time growing up “among elders,” as he put it, had a profound influence on his music career.
Ali Traore
Ali Traore, a French professional basketballer of Ivorian descent, debuted in the league with ASVEL Basket in 2001–02. He played college basketball for the College of Southern Idaho during the 2004–05 season. The French National Basketball Team now has him at 2.08 m tall (6 ft 10 in). He’s a center-fielder for the team.