Yamoussoukro’s real estate surge: a magnet for investors, a concern for farmers
In Yamoussoukro, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, land prices are soaring and construction sites are sprouting up everywhere. The city is fast becoming a new hub for real estate investment in the country. This real estate frenzy is reshaping surrounding villages and raising critical questions about the future of agricultural land.
Investors flock to Yamoussoukro’s expanding real estate market
Francis Djaha, a local real estate agent, uses his drone to showcase parcels he markets to potential buyers. From above, the view is breathtaking, overlooking the iconic Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. Dozens of plots have already been demarcated. Depending on location and size, land prices range from 15 to 40 million West African CFA francs. With five years in the business, Djaha has noticed a growing interest in Yamoussoukro: “We have individuals looking to build residential homes, industrialists, commercial investors seeking office spaces, and even those interested in agricultural land. Some prefer ready-built houses,” he explains.
The city’s appeal isn’t just about available land. “The roads are wide, making travel smooth between districts. The city is peaceful, and the infrastructure built under President Houphouët-Boigny sets it apart. Plus, its central location means you can reach any part of the country easily from here,” Djaha adds.
Agricultural land under pressure
The city’s growing appeal is drawing buyers from Abidjan, other Ivorian regions, and the diaspora. Attracted by relatively affordable prices and the capital’s development prospects, one entrepreneur—who prefers to remain anonymous—recently acquired a parcel with plans to develop a residential project. “Our goal is to create housing solutions for the population,” he shares.
However, this real estate boom is transforming villages around Yamoussoukro. Farmlands once dedicated to cocoa, yam, and cassava cultivation are gradually giving way to housing developments. This shift brings development hopes but also raises concerns about the long-term fate of local farmland. Michel N’Goran, advisor to the village chief of Séman Sanhourikro, a few kilometers from the capital, voices these worries: “With these housing projects, we can no longer cultivate our land. In 30 to 50 years, I fear the Akouès and Nanafouès communities of Yamoussoukro will face the same fate as the Ebriés in Abidjan—losing access to cultivable land.”
The government’s five-year national development plan includes a high-speed rail line connecting Abidjan to Yamoussoukro in just 45 minutes. This project is expected to further boost the capital’s attractiveness.
