Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

Country context

Côte d’Ivoire has a population of 31 million, 40% of whom are under 15. The country is marked by significant ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity, with more than 60 ethnic groups living together.

After the politico-military crises of the 2000–2011 period, the country experienced stability and economic growth, fostering a return to a more peaceful social environment. However, rapid urbanization—particularly in Abidjan—has created growing inequalities between urban and rural areas.

Young people make up a large share of the population, which energizes society but also intensifies employment challenges. The northern part of the country, more rural and less developed than the south, faces issues related to poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to health and education services.

Most people rely on agriculture, cross-border trade, or the informal economy. The region is also affected by sensitive security dynamics due to its proximity to the Sahel. Despite this, community cohesion remains strong, supported by influential traditional structures and a strong sense of local solidarity.

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The literacy & sewing project (Alpha-Couture)

Launched in 2020 and still ongoing, this pilot program aims to support the financial empowerment of young girls through sewing training, literacy courses, and micro-enterprise management. After 18 to 24 months of training and apprenticeships with master tailors, the young women receive a diploma and a trade: sewing.

At the end of their training, the trainees—56 to date—are able to run a small business, the key to achieving financial autonomy.

We provide each trainee with a sewing machine—sometimes donated by local entrepreneurs or village communities—which becomes theirs permanently after two years of practice. Villages need seamstresses, and this activity is economically viable.

These young women also gain social inclusion and leave the informal economy that heavily affects northern Côte d’Ivoire.

Two border regions benefit from this program, which has supported nearly 60 young women so far: in Tengrela, with the Association des Jeunes Visionnaires de la Côte d’Ivoire (AJV-CI), and in Doropo with the association Les Flamboyants.

These projects have become pilot initiatives for the region. They have been supported by La Guilde and the Fondation de France – Agir sa Vie.

The project is currently continuing in Doropo for the 2026/2027 cycle.

The Nomadic Health Project in Doropo

Mobile teams of motorcycle health workers travel to remote villages in the Téhini and Doropo regions to provide first aid and, when necessary, evacuate the most serious medical cases to the referral hospital.

These programs are essential for border populations who have no access to public services. They reach nearly 1,000 patients per year, and Dr. Juliette Elie, Solinfo’s medical advisor, regularly contributes to diagnosis and to implementing appropriate solutions at the health center run by Les Flamboyants in Doropo.

With support from Ordre de Malte France, we have trained around twenty nurses who now serve on the front line. The program will continue and will be complemented by a prevalence and prevention study on sickle-cell disease, with support from Necker Hospital in Paris.

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Program funding

We are seeking €29,000 to support these programs.

The Alpha-Couture project is fully funded by Solinfo, as are the Nomadic Health program and the sickle-cell disease study.

Our partners in Côte d’Ivoire contribute by covering part of the local structural and monitoring costs. Solinfo covers all operational expenses of the programs: salaries and fees for facilitators, materials for the workshops, medical consumables, sewing supplies, and more.

Solinfo also conducts regular field visits for coordination and oversight.

Partners in Côte d’Ivoire

Les Flamboyants in Doropo for the Alpha-Couture and Nomadic Health programs — and the Association des Jeunes Visionnaires de la Côte d’Ivoire (AJV-CI) in Tengrela for Alpha-Couture.