Abidjan Ville Lumière 2025 Launched Under the Banner of Unity, Peace and Solidarity

Under the theme “Together for a peaceful, prosperous and united Côte d’Ivoire,” the 2025 edition of the Abidjan Ville Lumière program was officially launched by the Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Françoise Remarck, representing the First Lady, Dominique Ouattara.

The ceremony brought together several high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister, Robert Beugré Mambé; the Minister of Interior and Security, Vagondo Diomandé; and the Minister-Governor of the Autonomous District of Abidjan, Ibrahima Cissé Bacongo, alongside numerous political, administrative, diplomatic and traditional leaders.

“Tonight, the District of Abidjan will shine. But this light will also radiate across the 31 regions of our country and the Autonomous District of Yamoussoukro. These illuminations remind us that every Ivorian matters, wherever they may be,” said Dominique Ouattara in a message read by her representative.

The First Lady expressed her hope that every beam of light would carry a message of hope and serve as an invitation to nurture and preserve harmony within Ivorian households. According to her, the illumination of streets across Côte d’Ivoire remains “a living symbol of the hope, solidarity and unity we carry in our hearts.”

Staying true to her strong social commitment, Dominique Ouattara also used the occasion to express solidarity with vulnerable families through the distribution of food and non-food items. She further extended her Christmas wishes to all children across Côte d’Ivoire, expressing the hope that the festive season would bring joy, happiness and unforgettable family moments.

Speaking in turn, Minister-Governor Ibrahima Cissé Bacongo emphasized that the expansion of the Abidjan Ville Lumière program to all regions of the country, as well as to the Autonomous District of Yamoussoukro, fully aligns with the vision of President Alassane Ouattara to make social cohesion a tangible reality.

“The President’s ambition is to make living together a visible and concrete reality in every region, every major city, every neighborhood, and almost every village,” he stated.

According to him, the illumination ceremony symbolizes elevation, awareness, hope and life, aiming to transform anxieties into renewed hope. He concluded by affirming that beyond its beauty, Abidjan continues to demonstrate its determination to move forward and achieve sustainable transformation.