Daloa, a hub in the central-west region, combines cultural richness, agricultural dynamism, and commercial vitality. Blending Bété traditions with the local economy, the city positions itself as a major player in regional development.
Daloa, the capital of the Bété people, stands as a cultural and economic crossroads in the heart of Côte d’Ivoire. The city, famous for its traditional dances and the Festival of Antelopes, embodies a rich artisanal heritage, symbolized by the Glôkô cloth, made from tree bark. Here, natural sites like the Brizéboua elephant rock and the Marahoué Park offer havens of peace for nature lovers, enhancing the region’s tourist appeal.
Originally, it wasn’t a sacred forest; it was a coffee plantation. At that time, there weren’t all these trees you see today. Back then, it belonged to the elder brother, Arabé Boguié.
Rapidly expanding, Daloa had over 420,000 inhabitants in 2023 and continues to grow quickly. To support this growth, nearly 2,000 streets have been identified for the urban addressing project, a key initiative to improve city management and accessibility. Its renovated regional hospital center now serves an area of over 1.5 million people, highlighting the efforts in infrastructure and public services to support the population growth.
A monkey came to the house, picked a mango that wasn’t ripe yet, so my mother told the monkey: ‘Give me back the mango, come back in three days to get it, it will have had time to ripen.’ That’s how I see it. And indeed, three days later, the monkey came back and my mother was amazed.
Economically, Daloa is a true powerhouse for Côte d’Ivoire. An agricultural city par excellence, it supplies the country with cocoa and coffee, sectors that remain the pillars of its economy. Agriculture, combined with a dynamic informal sector representing nearly 60% of local income, makes Daloa an increasingly influential commercial and industrial hub. With its sawmills and agribusiness projects, the city is positioning itself as a nerve center for regional development.