The African continent stands at a crossroads where historical legacies intertwine with modern aspirations, and the Ivory Coast exemplifies this dynamic through its ambitious street-naming campaign. Launched as a practical measure to bolster economic growth, this initiative has evolved into a symbol of national identity and a strategic move amid escalating political tensions. As of October 15, 2025, with the presidential election looming, this project reflects broader Pan-African efforts to reclaim agency, modernize infrastructure, and address colonial shadows. This exploration delves into the multifaceted dimensions of this campaign, situating it within the Ivory Coast’s political unrest and its resonance across the continent.
Echoes of Liberation: The Historical Tapestry of the Ivory Coast’s Street-Naming Drive
Ivory Coast’s journey toward urban naming began years ago, but its acceleration in 2025 marks a pivotal chapter. In cities like Abidjan, where rapid urbanization has swelled populations, streets once identified only by landmarks or oral directions are now adorned with names honoring national figures. Avenue Mathieu Ekra, named after a co-author of the national anthem, exemplifies this shift in a central business district previously devoid of formal addresses. This effort targets 15,000 streets in Abidjan, part of a World Bank-backed initiative mirroring similar programs in Benin, Ghana, Rwanda, and Togo, aimed at enhancing competitiveness through thoughtful city planning.
Historically, Africa’s urban centers have grappled with the legacy of colonial neglect, where infrastructure development lagged behind population growth. Post-independence, many nations inherited fragmented systems, and the Ivory Coast’s civil conflicts in the 2000s further delayed progress. The current campaign, overseen by Alphonse N’Guessan of the Ministry of Construction, addresses these gaps by improving navigation for e-commerce, ride-hailing, and emergency services. N’Guessan notes, “Due to the economic growth in the country, it’s vital that people can move better and find places quicker.” This practical foundation supports a deeper intent: to weave a narrative of self-reliance, echoing Pan-African calls for sovereignty that trace back to independence movements led by figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere.
Currents of Contention: Political Unrest in Ivory Coast’s Electoral Crucible
As the Ivory Coast approaches its presidential election on October 25, 2025, political unrest has intensified, casting a shadow over the street-naming initiative. Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, in power since 2011, seeks a contentious fourth term, leveraging a 2016 constitutional amendment to reset his tenure clock. This move has sparked outrage among opposition leaders, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, both of whom were barred from candidacy through judicial rulings. Protests erupted in Abidjan on October 11, with security forces arresting 237 demonstrators, intensifying fears of a repeat of the 2010-2011 post-election violence that claimed thousands of lives.
Ouattara, a US-trained economist with a record of over 6 percent annual GDP growth, campaigns on stability and security amid regional jihadist threats from the Sahel. Yet, his leadership faces scrutiny over ethnic divisions, economic disparities, and perceived authoritarianism. The street-naming campaign, accelerated during this election period, is framed as a triumph of modernization, enabling efficient urban navigation. However, critics argue that it serves as a distraction from core issues, such as unemployment and tax inequity, where revenue at 13.2 percent of GDP lags behind the African average of over 16 percent. The unrest underscores a nation at a tipping point, where symbolic progress clashes with demands for democratic renewal.
Voices of the Vanguard: Gen Z Protests Shaping Ivory Coast’s Future
At the forefront of the Ivory Coast’s unrest are its youth, particularly Generation Z, who constitute a significant portion of the population under the age of 25. This demographic, empowered by digital tools and global connectivity, has transformed protests into organized campaigns against electoral manipulation and governance failures. On October 11, young activists in Abidjan rallied against Ouattara’s candidacy, using social media to coordinate despite a government ban, only to face tear gas and arrests. Their demands extend beyond elections, targeting unemployment rates exceeding 30 percent and the exclusion of opposition voices.
Across Africa, Gen Z has emerged as a catalyst for change, from fiscal policy protests in East Africa to anti-corruption rallies in West Africa. In the Ivory Coast, this generation views the street-naming initiative with skepticism, perceiving it as a superficial solution in a country where access to education and job opportunities remains elusive. Their protests blend local grievances with Pan-African ideals, drawing inspiration from movements in Senegal and Sudan. This youth-led surge challenges traditional power structures, demanding a governance model that reflects their aspirations for inclusion and equity, which could potentially reshape the Ivory Coast’s political landscape if channeled constructively.
Weaving Resistance: Social Movements and the Pan-African Pulse
Ivory Coast’s street-naming campaign is part of a broader tapestry of social movements across Africa, where citizens mobilize against colonial legacies, economic crises, and environmental pressures. The initiative’s decolonization aspect—renaming streets, such as the airport road, from Valéry Giscard d’Estaing to Félix Houphouët-Boigny—resonates with regional shifts, including the expulsion of French troops from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following coups. This symbolic break, described by a senior party member as “the least disruptive way to signal an insignificant break with France,” reflects growing anti-French sentiment, a rallying cry for democratic change that was evident in Senegal’s 2024 election landslide.
Social movements in the Ivory Coast draw strength from diverse coalitions, including shopkeepers like Issouf Bamba, who calls for “meaningful changes” beyond surface renamings. These efforts are informed by expert panels, religious leaders, and chiefs, ensuring names honor Ivorian luminaries while maintaining ties with France as a “good friend.” The campaign’s expansion to 15 towns by 2030, including Yamoussoukro, Daloa, Korhogo, and Bouaké, signals a Pan-African vision of unity and pride. Yet, challenges persist, as economic strains and climate impacts—such as droughts affecting cocoa production—fuel unrest, linking local struggles to continental narratives of resilience.
Horizons of Hope: Navigating Challenges Toward a Unified Tomorrow
Looking ahead, the Ivory Coast’s street-naming initiative and the accompanying unrest offer a lens into Africa’s democratic future. The youth-driven protests signal a maturing civil society, capable of leveraging technology for advocacy, while the campaign’s infrastructure focus could catalyze economic inclusion if paired with equitable policies. Pan-African solidarity, strengthened by cross-border movements, could amplify these efforts, pressuring for reforms that address unemployment, climate adaptation, and governance.
However, risks loom large: authoritarian responses, external interference from Sahel juntas, and economic volatility could derail progress. The election’s outcome will test institutional resilience, particularly if disputes escalate post-October 25. For the Ivory Coast, integrating Gen Z perspectives into policy-making and resolving electoral tensions through dialogue could transform unrest into a foundation for stability. Across Africa, this moment beckons a Pan-African renaissance, where social movements forge a legacy of empowerment, ensuring the continent’s youth inherit a future defined by agency rather than adversity.
