Côte d’Ivoire has launched a major effort to rename streets across its economic capital, Abidjan, replacing colonial-era names with figures and symbols rooted in national history and African heritage.
One of the most prominent changes is the road linking the international airport to the city centre. Once named after former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, it now bears the name of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the country’s first president after independence in 1960.
“These names did not reflect the reality or culture of our people,” explained Alphonse N’Guessan, the urban planner directing the renaming project. “Street names must speak to our history and our identity.”
The initiative began in 2021 but only recently saw the installation of new signage across Abidjan. With a budget of $17 million, the campaign aims to align the country’s address system with global standards while reinforcing national pride.
Unlike some West African nations that have cut ties with France following military coups, Côte d’Ivoire continues to maintain close diplomatic relations with its former colonial ruler. Still, the renaming reflects a broader movement across the region to dismantle visible symbols of colonial influence. Similar efforts have been seen in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
In Abidjan, streets previously named after French cities or historical figures are being rebranded with names of Ivorian leaders, cultural figures, and values. Marseille Boulevard, for example, has been renamed Philippe Yacé Boulevard, honouring the country’s first parliamentary speaker. Boulevard de France now carries the name of Marie-Thérèse Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire’s first First Lady.
The renaming process involves consultations with traditional leaders and local civil society groups to ensure that chosen names resonate with communities. The plan is expected to expand to 15 other towns and cities, with nationwide completion targeted for 2030.
Urban development experts say the transformation holds particular significance for the country’s youthful population—more than 75% of Ivorians are under the age of 35. With fewer personal ties to the colonial past, many young people are more likely to connect with streets that carry names reflecting their own national narrative.
Observers say the move is not just symbolic but educational. Naming streets after Ivorian pioneers and revolutionaries, they argue, helps preserve history and fosters a deeper sense of ownership over public spaces.
The changes have been met with widespread support, with many residents expressing pride in the shift toward honoring local heroes and reclaiming the nation’s public landscape.
Through this initiative, Côte d’Ivoire is redrawing its urban map—not only to improve navigation, but to anchor it more firmly in its own story.