YOUR BAAB OF MARCH 2026

MARCH 2026 #132

YOUR FAVORITE COMPASS!

For 1 year now, BAAB has adopted a new formula, sharper, more informative, more focused on what we know how to do best: guiding you, accompanying you, and delivering everything our capital has to offer! And it works! This “new version” of BAAB (which is completed every 3 months by B MAG, our new baby) is more and more popular and is unanimous among Abidjanians who love to move, go out, and discover. Because in Babi, things are happening… You still need to know them and know where to go!

So, this month, like all the others, we have searched, unearthed information, verified, and compiled for you the pages you have in hand! Gourmet addresses, food info, outing recommendations, cultural news, good tips for kids and families… March 2026 in Abidjan is rich… and it is here that you will find how to get the best out of it, quite simply!

Happy reading and have a good month!

Managing Director and Publisher : Alice Andrieux

Editor-in-Chief : A. Kouadio

Editorial Secretary General : Gobou Y. F.

Editorial Manager : Anne-Claire Lecouls

Digital and Partnerships Manager : Sylvain Andrieux

Graphic

Department Manager : Koimé N’Goran A. Printing :

COMMUNICATE OR ADVERTISE IN BAAB MAGAZINE, IT’S AS EASY AS SCANNING A QR CODE.

ABIDJAN TILL THE END OF THE NIGHT

CULTURAL NEWS

ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG AND OLD

TRIP TO ITALY

3 ADDRESSES TO TEST

Heading to Italy, news version! Three new addresses come to enrich the gourmet scene of Abidjan and surroundings and invite you to a real journey to the land of the dolce vita. Whether you are tempted by a gourmet break, an elegant dinner, or a simple moment around emblematic recipes, these places each cultivate a singular atmosphere while remaining faithful to the Italian essence. Carefully selected products, generosity on the plate, warm welcome, and art of living... BAAB recommends these 3 novelties that are already being talked about.

We love!

The trattoria atmosphere with its large tables, its checkered tablecloths, and its authentic decor, the small terrace, the generosity of the dishes and the real Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, Italian friendliness and the sense of sharing.

We recommend to you:

The burrata, the tomato bruschetta, the Caesar salad, the saffron and shrimp risotto, the salmon fettuccine, the truffle pizza, the Milanese escalope, the saffron panna cotta, the tiramisu, the limonata al rosmarino.

Italian cuisine Zone 4, rue Vanié Bi Traverse 07 18 18 18 00 napizza.abidjan

We love!

The vast and bright room with contemporary decor, the details on the plates, the variety of proposals, the artisanal ice creams in cones or sticks with original flavors and gluten-free or no-added-sugar proposals, the ice cream scoops to-go format.

The grilled artichokes, the homemade Italian bread, seasoned with olive oil and garlic, the eggplant gratin with mozzarella, the fettuccine with pesto and grilled prawns, the Milanese breaded chicken, the Greek pizza, the chocolate pasta, the ice creams and sorbets.

Pizzeria, gelateria and café

Zone 3, av. Noel Némin 07 12 85 55 55 pinocchio.abj pinocchiotheconcept.com

We recommend to you: We recommend to you:

DEL MARE

We love!

The magnificent setting, the garden and the swimming pool for drinking a cocktail or tasting tapas, the cozy and refined room for a gourmet dinner, the elegant and gastronomic atmosphere, the dishes with elaborate presentation, the quality of the service, the choice of proposals between Italian classics and seafood products.

The 2-flavor checkerboard, the Italian-style beef carpaccio, the fritto misto, the Milanese grouper, the lamb shank with bigarade, the chicken Alfredo tagliatelle, the seafood pizza.

COPA DEL MARE

Italian and seafood products

Bassam Quartier France 05 74 98 96 05 copadelmare.ci

SPECIAL RAMADAN 2026

OUR SELECTION FOR THE BREAKING OF THE FAST

The month of Ramadan is a unique moment of contemplation, sharing, and conviviality. At the hour when the sun declines over the Ébrié lagoon, the search for the ideal place for Iftar becomes a priority for many Abidjanians. Whether you are in search of a traditional table or a more contemporary gastronomic experience, Abidjan overflows with addresses ready to welcome you. BAAB has selected a few for you, from generous buffets to more intimate menus.

IFTAR IN HOTEL RESTAURANTS

Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan

Authentic Moroccan Iftar

All-you-can-eat buffet

Reservations : 07 69 81 52 38

Hôtel Tiama

Iftar at the restaurant L’Ambassadeur Reservations : 07 07 07 94 30

Onomo Hotel Abidjan Airport

Gourmet buffet at Kokoma Reservations : 07 20 03 90 38

Onomo Allure

Iftar Delight at the restaurant Casa Baobab Cold and hot buffet Reservations : 07 18 61 35 01

Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire

Collective Iftar at the Brasserie Reservations : 07 87 93 17 23

Azalaï Hotel Abidjan

Sunakari with a thousand and one flavors at the restaurant Le Banco Reservations : 27 21 22 25 55

Noom Hotel Abidjan Plateau

Iftar buffet at Boulevard Reservations : 05 76 99 98 48

TRADITIONAL TABLES

Em Sherif Café

Zone 4, av. A. Sawadogo

Reservations : 07 00 09 00 00

Villa Verde

Les Nuits d’Iftar les 7 et 14 mars 2026

Zone 4, rue Y. Mankambou

Reservations : 07 11 10 01 11

Le Méchoui

Zone 4, bd FG Yacé

Reservations : 27 21 24 68 93

Palais Wia

Cocody, rue des Hortensias

Reservations : 05 44 04 38 38

Tulum

Zone 4, av. T. Ahoua

Reservations : 05 64 41 79 79

Villa Lepic

Cocody, rue Lepic

Réservations : 07 11 35 47 71

Cara

2 Plateaux, av. K. Duncan

Reservations : 07 09 25 26 25

Blaz‘In

Zone 4, Superkart CI

Reservations : 05 85 26 35 35

Le Pharaon

Riviera 3, St Pierre des Rosées

Reservations : 07 88 58 59 59

Africafé

Plateau, av. F. d’Esperey

Reservations : 07 02 84 38 77

Cheers

Cap Nord

Reservations : 07 77 37 38 39

Mamma Mia

Zone 4, av. A. Sawadogo

Reservations : 05 54 54 54 50 IN ALL SIMPLICITY

FOOD INFO

WHAT’S NEW THIS MONTH?

ITINERANT NEW CONCEPT

A mobile service thought for a single mission: bringing ice cream near you! Sundae, soft serve ice cream, flurry mix or milkshakes. Consult their page for the itinerary!

07 49 49 12 12 icematic.ci

COMING SOON

Akan brunch – Easter Special in San Pedro

The famous brunch sets up facing the sea in San Pedro on April 5, 2026. A celebration of cultures and traditions in an elegant and festive setting, with a special spotlight on Kroumen heritages

The Yakiniku Japanese Grill is now available at Tsunami Riviera. A unique experience in Abidjan but only 3 tables available for a total immersion in the Japanese art of table grilling!

07 48 88 88 86 tsunamiabidjan

REOPENING

The Lebanese restaurant has had a makeover! Redesigned space and decor, new management and a culinary experience to rediscover

Enotel Beach, San Pedro 07 79 18 17 78 akan_brunch_festival Zone 4, rue Vanié Bi traverse, 07 48 88 08 08 alzawat.ci

STAGE TOUR

4 CONCERTS NOT TO MISS!

Want to vibrate to the rhythm of live music? This month, Abidjan ignites with a selection of unmissable concerts! Here are 4 dates to absolutely note in your calendars.

RAP, AFROBEAT

March 21, 2026, at the Palais de la Culture

Nahawa Doumbia

March 28, 2026, at the Palais de la Culture 07 09 22 33 36

URBAN HIP-HOP

March 27, 2026, at the Palais de la Culture 07 68 18 38 69

April 3, 2026, at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire 01 00 00 77 77

EVENINGS OF THE MONTH

I

t’s well known that Abidjan’s nightlife is always rich and lively. Afterworks, concerts, karaoke or parties... every week has its own events and parties. To make sure you don’t miss out on the best of Babi by night, here’s our “little diary” of weekly events. Enjoy it all night long !

WANT TO GO OUT, DANCE OR CHILL?

WE GUIDE YOU!

Going out, dancing, chilling or simply relaxing to music after a long day… Abidjan never lacks options, but you still need to know where to go! To save you from searching endlessly or hesitating at the last moment, we have sorted through for you! Here are our recommendations of the month to fully enjoy your evenings in Babi.

KARAOKE AT L’ÉQUIPE

Friends, atmosphere, good drinks and a microphone! It’s up to you to put on the show! Friday night at 9 PM Riviera M’badon

07 58 29 12 58 brasserie_lequipe

CHILL JAZZ AT KAJAZOMA

A jazzy interlude where flavors meet live music. Every other Saturday at 9 PM 2 Plateaux

07 05 10 67 17 kajazoma_concept

APERO SONORE AT IFCI

Groove and relaxation with an eclectic vinyl selection mixing reggae, rumba and jazz.

March 26 at 6 PM French Institute (IFCI) 27 20 20 40 60

APERO COLORE AT 8 CLOS DES BATEAUX

The weekly artistic afterwork to decompress, socialize, create and enjoy! Every Thursday at 7 PM

Zone 3, ASNA

07 09 78 73 73 aperocolore_abidjan

GAME NIGHT AT SPOT BY LENA

Games, laughter and strategy under the stars!

Every Friday until March 14, 2026

Zone 4, bd FG Yacé

07 88 02 00 00 enigma.ci

LEBANESE NIGHT AT AL ZAWAT

Relaxed atmosphere and live music with Louay Jamal. E

very Friday and Saturday of Ramadan at 10:30 PM

Zone 4, rue Vanié Bi Traverse 0748880808 alzawat.ci

QUARTIER

LATIN

The most festive rumba night in the capital! March 20, 2026, location to be defined. quartierlatin_abj

THURSDAY AFTERWORK AT RIVOLI

Rnb, Amapiano and Oldschool… settle in and sip a cocktail!

Thursdays at 6 PM

Riviera 3

07 19 14 18 71 lerivoli.abidjan

SPEAK EASY AT VILLA LEPIC

Cocktail and atmospheric evening with the best DJs in town! Thursdays March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2026 at 7 PM

Cocody

07 77 53 36 23 lepicvilla

« UNDER THE SACRED VEIL »

EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH

Between Senufo tradition and technological modernity,

Mounou Désiré Koffi transforms the Poro into an immersive pictorial experience.

About the Artist

Mounou Désiré Koffi (born in 1994 in Buyo) is a graduate of INSAAC Abidjan, where he was valedictorian of his class. Exhibited internationally (Morocco, Belgium, France, Senegal), he is considered today as one of the major figures of young contemporary African creation.

From March 12 to April 12, 2026, the Jacobleu Art Gallery hosts Under the Sacred Veil, a major exhibition by Mounou Désiré Koffi, an Ivorian artist whose work fuses cultural heritage and plastic innovation. He offers a dive into the initiatory universe of the Poro, a Senufo rite that has structured the passage from childhood to adulthood for centuries.

A dialogue between the sacred and the contemporary

The exhibition presents itself as a visual and symbolic crossing, where each canvas becomes a gateway to ancestral knowledge. Mounou Désiré draws his inspiration from the Poro, this “invisible school” where one learns to grow, to see beyond the visible. His works, both figurative and dreamlike, mix masks, silhouettes of children and women, in a whirlwind of colors and hybrid materials.

The art of recycling at the service of the sacred

What strikes one in Mounou Désiré’s work is his ability to reinvent traditional codes through unexpected materials. Mobile phone keypads, fabrics, wood, mirrors, cowries, and natural pigments assemble on his canvases, creating a unique plastic language. The keypad, a vestige of modernity, becomes a metaphor for passage, while traditional elements, like the Wambêlê mask or the shadow of the Hornbill, recall the permanence of the sacred.

An initiation through art

Under the Sacred Veil invites us to experience an initiation. Children, figures of beginning, and women, guardians of transmission, populate his compositions. Each work suggests without revealing everything, respecting the mystery of the Poro while revealing its energy. The spectator is thus invited to a singular “entry,”

where art becomes the medium of an intimate and collective learning process.

An artist connected to the issues of his time Mounou Désiré establishes himself as a bridge-builder between cultures and eras. His work, at the crossroads of Impressionism and figurative art, questions the place of tradition in a globalized world. By recycling everyday objects, he reminds us that the sacred can emerge from modernity, and that art remains a powerful tool for questioning our relationship with the world.

« UNDER THE SACRED VEIL »

March 12 to April 12, 2026

Jacobleu Art Gallery. 2 Plateaux, Las Palmas jacobleuartgallery

LEÏLA ALAOUI

AN EXHIBITION THAT TRANSCENDS BORDERS

Ten years after the tragic death of Leïla Alaoui, SOMETHING Art Space dedicates an immersive exhibition to this Franco-Moroccan photographer and video artist, whose work continues to question regimes of visibility and the ethical responsibilities of the image. It presents four major series – Les Marocains, No Pasara, Crossings and Made in India – projected in a new spatial installation, inviting the public to a visual and reflective experience.

Ten years after her passing, Leïla Alaoui’s work engages in dialogue with West Africa on migration, identity, and dignity.

A body of work that remains relevant

Far from being a simple retrospective, this exhibition offers a deep dive into the universe of an artist for whom photography was an act of resistance and dialogue. Through her portraits, reports, and installations, Leïla Alaoui gave a voice

to those whom history and the media often reduce to numbers or stereotypes. Her images, both intimate and political, question notions of identity, exile, and dignity—themes that resonate particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, a crossroads of West African mobility.

A

dialogue between continents

Presented in Abidjan, this exhibition creates a bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, three geographical and cultural spaces that shaped the artist’s work. The exhibited series, such as Les Marocains (frontal portraits of women and men from Morocco) or No Pasara, which documents migrant journeys, reveal a humanist and committed approach. Each image is an invitation to see the other in their complexity, beyond prejudice and borders.

An immersive scenography

Designed as a sensory experience, the exhibition uses projection to create a path where the viewer is surrounded by the faces, landscapes, and stories captured by Leïla Alaoui. This spatial presentation, conceived by curator Anna Alix Koffi, allows the full political and poetic dimension of her work to be grasped, while highlighting its relevance in a world marked by migration crises and identity tensions.

An exhibition that matters

By choosing Abidjan for this first solo exhibition in sub-Saharan Africa, SOMETHING Art Space reminds us that Leïla Alaoui’s work goes beyond geographical and temporal borders. At a time when issues of migration, representation, and social justice are more pressing than ever, her gaze remains a compass for understanding the world and for taking action.

LEÏLA ALAOUI

Until March 14, 2026

SOMETHING Art Space. Cocody, Blockhauss something.art.space

Le GallParis, 2016

© Augustin

Franco-Moroccan photographer and video artist Leïla Alaoui (1982–2016) studied in New York before dedicating her work to the representation of marginalized identities. Her approach, between documentary and contemporary art, has been exhibited internationally (Institut du Monde Arabe, Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Art Dubai) and published in media outlets such as The New York Times and Vogue. Engaged with NGOs (UNHCR, Amnesty International), she died in 2016 following an attack in Ouagadougou, while working on women’s rights.

THE KORA MUSEUM

A LIVING SPACE TO DISCOVER IN ASSOUINDÉ

Created in 2022 by Jérôme Evanno, kora player and enthusiast wishing to open his private collection to the public, the Kora Museum immerses you in the history of this instrument and of traditional African music. A visit that is as instructive as it is playful, between ancient pieces, demonstrations, and workshops—perfect to discover during your next beach outing!

A project born from a real need

The museum responds to an obvious gap. In Côte d’Ivoire, and more broadly in West Africa, few spaces are specifically dedicated to preserving and transmitting traditional musical heritage. The kora, an emblematic instrument carried by griots for centuries, therefore deserved a structured space to tell its story and show its evolution. In a context where many ancient African instruments and sound archives are kept in museums or private collections in Europe and America, the Kora Museum offers a local anchoring by exhibiting objects and allowing communities access to their own cultural heritage. Mission accomplished: today, the museum welcomes more than 500 visitors per year, gathers over 7,000 online followers, and has been a member of ICOM-CI since 2023, strengthening its institutional recognition.

A rare and documented collection

At the heart of the museum, the kora naturally takes center stage. Several models are presented, from ancient instruments to more contemporary versions, allowing visitors to observe the evolution of their manufacture, materials, and use. The collection also includes postcards and photographs dating from 1901 to today, including an exceptional piece dating from

before 1900 depicting a griot playing the kora in Senegambia. This image is considered one of the earliest known visual traces of the instrument. Similar copies are preserved at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris as well as at the New York Museum, but in Assouindé, you can admire an original! The museum also preserves vinyl records published between 1958 and 2015, CDs produced between 1985 and 2010, thirty-five books published since 1905, stamps from several West African countries, as well as paintings, bronzes, old strings, and objects related to musical practice. A room is entirely dedicated to other African instruments such as the dozo ngoni, the djembé, the balafon, or the chacha, broadening the perspective on the continent’s musical diversity.

A living place

At the Kora Museum, you can also experiment, listen, and touch! Children from the village regularly come to learn instruments through free workshops in balafon, djembé, percussion, and kora discovery. Workshops are also offered, with beginner or advanced lessons. Finally, if you simply want to enjoy the sound, intimate concerts are organized on site, or in hotels in the region by the museum’s group, “Les Chapeaux d’Assouindé.”

Much more than a museum

Art shop, painter Yawo’s studio, photo and video projects, music recordings, cultural celebrations, environmental actions such as beach clean-ups… The Kora Museum is part of a strong social and creative dynamic. Exchanges are also underway with museums in Dakar, Bangui, and Gitega to build bridges between African heritages. Carrefour 8 Villas, Assouindé.

GALLERY TOUR MARCH EXHIBITIONS

« HÉRITAGE

EN COULEURS »

Ottioné belongs to this rare lineage of Ivorian artists, masters of the palette knife. In a play of generous impastos, he gives life back to our ancestral culture; our masks are no longer objects of the past but become vibrant entities, guardians of our identity that spring from the canvas with striking chromatic force. Until March 26, 2026, at the Couloir des Arts of the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire (Cocody).

«

MURMURES D’ARCHIVES : SUR LES TRACES DE HANS HIMMELHEBER »

Amajor exhibition celebrating the work of German ethnologist, dealer, and collector Hans Himmelheber. Between 1933 and 1976, this scientist traveled across Africa, collected art objects, and documented his research through photographs, recordings, and films. Until March 29, 2026, at MuCAT (Abobo).

« SOUFFLE »

Permanent exhibition of the Maison de l’Art of Grand-Bassam, “Breath” brings together the works of twenty-eight contemporary artists from nine African countries. Together, they testify to the creative vitality of the continent, where excellence, innovation, and artistic renewal meet. Painting, sculpture, photography, or furniture design: each medium is reinvented there to offer a new reading of reality and African heritage. Until May 2026 at the Maison de l’Art (Grand-Bassam).

« I BREATHE AND I DREAM »

The first solo exhibition by Latifa Alajlan, who draws from Kuwaiti cultural heritage to explore patterns, architecture, and gesture. Her mesh underlayers and expressive impasto evoke the iconic structures of the Middle East. Rooted in the regional tradition of abstraction, her work creates atmospheric compositions where recognizable forms and free movements mingle, questioning notions of order, perception, and the relationship between structure and sensation. Until March 21, 2026, at the Farah Fakhri gallery (Plateau).

« WORLD OF WONDERS »

The exhibition brings together the work of artists Prince Obasi and Dramane Toloba around the figure of childhood. Between daily life scenes, transmitted gestures, and protective bonds, it explores childhood as an inner world: fragile, luminous, and deeply rooted in our way of inhabiting the present. Far from being a simple age of life, childhood reveals itself there as a world in itself: an inner place where gazes, gestures, and ways of being in the world are forged.

Until April 14, 2026, at the LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery (Cocody Mermoz).

« RÉSILIENCE »

This exhibition by Regina Veltin explores the way in which beings, confronted with adversity, draw from solidarity a strength for reconstruction. The presented works compose a fragmented and sensitive narrative, where bodies, colors, and movements respond to each other, oscillating between tension and appeasement, around a central idea: facing it together. Until March 7, 2026, at the Houkami Guyzagn gallery (Riviera 2).

« REGARDER CE QUI DEMEURE… »

An exhibition by Franco-Ivorian artist Roland Sié which brings together nonfigurative paintings and works in steel, wood, and plastic, questioning the aging of matter not as degradation, but as a writing of time. Stemming from worn objects and presented without restoration, these works testify to the dignity of matter tested but not destroyed and invite us to pay attention to what resists, transforms, and persists. Until March 14, 2026, at the Institut Français (Plateau).

A« KEA »

t the crossroads of illustration, fashion, and cultural design, Mélissa Toa of Cocody Klub develops a hybrid visual universe nourished by her Ivorian heritage. In KÉA, meaning God in Wobé, she explores female identity through spirituality, feminism, and ancestral myths, blending the intimate, the collective, and contemporary influences. Until March 25, 2026, at Maison Kōtokō (Bassam Mockeyville).

« LE POUVOIR

DE DIRE NOUS »

Works from the first residency of artists Richmond Téhe, Marie Obodou, and Sara l’Artchimiste at the Mastifani Gallery. Through various mediums, they explore notions of transmission, coexistence, and sustainability. They shift the gaze from the work as an object toward the work as a space for dialogue, connecting the local to the global, the intimate to the collective. Until April 2026 at the Mastifani Gallery (Zone 4).

« MEANDER »

First part of the Exodus cycle, an artistic project aiming to promote art outside of traditional frameworks, Meander (Memory explored, memory practiced) is an exhibition by the artist N.E.A.R. (N’guessan Eslie Ahou Ramia). An immersive and sensitive experience between memory, movement, and presence. Until March 29, 2026, at Kajazoma (2 Plateaux).

« LES MESSAGERS DE LA TRADITION »

Ghanaian artist Gabriel Eklou exhibits his works, most of which represent thin and slender characters. These immense and stretched beings proudly cross African landscapes and symbolize his philosophy of seeing far and observing the world around him. In March at Galerie Eureka (Zone 4).

« ESPACE DE RYTHMES ET DE SILENCES »

Acollective exhibition of artists Assoukrou Aké, Thibaut Bouedjoro-Camus, Adji Dieye, François-Xavier Gbré, CarlÉdouard Keïta, Ange-Frédéric Koffi, Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien, Vincent Michéa & Sadikou Oukpedjo. Until March 14, 2026, at the Cécile Fakhoury gallery (2 Plateaux).

« ÉCLATS

DE COULEURS »

Franck-Philippe N’Dia and Ceko Nihckasson explore the human condition through mixed techniques and strong materials. While the former sublimates wax fabric to probe spirituality, identity, and consumerism, the latter uses oil, sand, and collage to denounce violence and exclusion. Together, their abstract and committed works question our relationship with the environment and society. Until March 28, 2026, at La Rotonde des Arts (Plateau).

« ENTRE LES LIGNES »

Burkinabé painter Christophe Sawadogo presents his work where he brilliantly marries poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Passionate about words and letters, he integrates phrases and fragments into his canvases, creating a unique fusion between scripts and colors. In March 2026 at Hôtel Tiama (Plateau).

BO BALO FESTIVAL

LET’S GO PARTY IN BOUAKÉ!

Bo Balo is the soul of Bouaké catching fire!

THE PROGRAM:

Bo Balo is the pure energy of Bouaké exploding! For one week, the city becomes the beating heart of Ivorian culture, where music, arts, and traditions blend in an explosion of colors and rhythms. Led by the singer Ruth Tafébé, a native of the region, this eco-responsible event celebrates local diversity with free concerts, exhibitions, an international craft market, and masterclasses for young talents sponsored by Kajeem.

Between open stages for emerging artists, discussion circles on heritage, and creative workshops for children, Bo Balo is an invitation to experience Bouaké differently—a cultural melting pot where every generation, every artist, and every visitor will find their place. So, ready to party? Bo Balo!

BO BALO FESTIVAL

Bouaké 07 77 17 57 79

March 21, 2026: Musical opening with Ruth Tafebe, Placide Konan, and Kiko Sarama.

March 23–27, 2026: Masterclasses in slam and musical composition with Kajeem, Placide Konan, and Kiko Sarama.

March 24, 2026: Children’s Bo Balo and “I Will Survive” photo exhibition.

March 26, 2026: Discussion circle on the transmission and sustainability of our cultural heritage and sustainable development. Speakers: Prof. Nanourougo Coulibaly and Kajeem.

March 27–28, 2026: Concerts (Karismatik, Dean Ea, John Kiffy, and Reine Ablaa), traditional dances of Côte d’Ivoire (the Boloye), and presentation of the masterclasses.

March 28, 2026: Closing and sound system with Dj Soul Driver, Kajeem, Raoul K, and guest artists.

From March 24, 2026: Craft market.

THE OPERA OUTING

« CARMEN, STORY OF A WOMAN »

Georges Bizet’s Carmen is one of the most performed operas in the world! On March 27, 2026, on the stage of the Institut Français, Abass Zein, as he does so well, offers a bold adaptation where murderous passion gives way to female emancipation in urban Africa. A grandiose and fascinating show that we highly recommend!

Carmen, Story of a Woman is a mosaic musical show fusing classical opera and modern sounds, transposing the Spanish myth into contemporary Africa. Here, Carmen is no longer an Andalusian gypsy, but a young free woman in a large African city: autonomous, active, seductive, she works, chooses her loves, and refuses to be “owned.” A burning symbol of the urban African woman, she embodies the contradictions of a rapidly changing era, between frantic modernity and heavy cultural heritage.

Abass Zein’s version of Carmen highlights the burning tensions of our societies: the tradition-modernity clash, the contested place of women in public space, violence born from jealousy and patriarchal honor, and the suspicious gaze cast upon female

independence. Carmen becomes an implacable mirror of our realities, exposing the self-assured yet vulnerable woman. As in his previous successes, Abass Zein Africanizes the work with his signature Ivorian touch: a timeless fusion of lyrical singing, modern music, immersive staging, and vibrant costumes that surprise and fascinate.

Join us on March 27 at the Institut Français de Côte d’Ivoire for this complete, committed, and free show. A reinterpretation that pulses to the rhythm of Abidjan, inviting us to rethink Carmen, Story of a Woman.

March 27, 2026, at 8:00 PM , Institut français Tickets on www.lehub.online

IMPACT FRAME FESTIVAL

IT’S BACK AND SCALING UP!

Impact Frame Festival is the pop culture event of the month at the Institut français! Designed as a true space for meetings, learning, and celebration of contemporary Ivorian creation, it will offer, over 3 days, exhibitions, screenings, masterclasses, professional panels, and industry meet-ups. These moments of exchange will allow creators to present their projects, professionals to spot new talent, and the public to discover Ivorian works in tune with current cultural references.

A festival dedicated to illustration, comic books, and animation in Côte d’Ivoire.

Impact Frame’s first mission?

To give visibility to local talents, reveal the richness of graphic creation, and build bridges between artists, professionals, and the public. In 2025, the exhibition—through original works, discussions, and screenings— highlighted new creators capable of shining beyond borders. The success of this first edition, hosted at the Institut français of Côte d’Ivoire, confirmed the public’s interest in this universe.

Led by the Ivorian creative label CASE 225, the festival aims to be a platform of convergence where creators, publishers, studios, producers, and audiences gather around the same passion. The objective is also to reduce the gap that still exists between emerging talents and players in the cultural industry, and to offer young pupils, students, and enthusiasts direct access to professionals.

IMPACT FRAME FESTIVAL

From March 24 to 26, 2026, Institut français Program on www.institutfrancais.ci

THE MONTH’S BEST-OFF

ABOBO

KAPEGIK & L’ÉTUDIANT

JACOBLEU ART GALLERY

Kapegik and L’Étudiant, two hearts prepared in the oil of the garbadrome, two voices emerging from the corridors of the gbèlèdrome… Their microphone is a gentle weapon that shoots bullets of truth, their poems are bursts of uninhibited punchlines…

March 7, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Jacobleu Art Gallery 07 98 28 64 50

« Abobo Marley » by Yaya Diomandé, winner of the Prix Voix d’Afrique 2020, is a text whose echo remains deeply relevant. He will be present at the next literary café for a collective reading. Free admission, tea and coffee offered.

March 25, 2026 at 4 p.m. at the Institut français 27 20 20 40 60

GONDWANA CLUB PULLMAN

The first comedy club in Abidjan offering shows mixing the most famous comedians with the rising young scene.

March 27, 2026 at 9 p.m. at the Pullman Hotel Abidjan 05 04 00 66 66

CULTURE

THE MONTH’S BEST-OFF

ABRA-PADA-BRA GOETHE INSTITUT

VOYAGE 2 - INSTITUT FRANÇAIS

A poetic and lively experience led by C’Katcha, poet and slam artist, who invites the audience on a sensitive journey across Côte d’Ivoire, meeting its peoples, its languages, its dances, its masks, and its traditions!

March 28, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Institut français 27 20 20 40 60

A concert performance in tribute to the Dida people and culture by Alain Alain Tailly, blending poetry, music, sensitive and engaged texts. An intimate, vibrant, and authentic moment.

March 28, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the Goethe Institut 25 22 00 88 99

MASA - ABIDJAN

Theatre, dance, music, storytelling, slam, laughter, circus, puppetry… 8 days of In and Off festival, performances and celebration dedicated to the promotion of African performing arts.

From April 11 to 18, 2026 in various venues across Abidjan masa-ci.org

ALLAH N’EST PAS OBLIGÉ

FILM OF THE MONTH

Birahima, a Guinean orphan about ten years old, must leave his village to try to cross the border and find an aunt who is said to have settled in Liberia. The young boy follows in the footsteps of Yacouba, a roadside trickster acting as a substitute guide. But along the way, encountering child soldiers turns Birahima’s fate upside down. An involuntary recruit, what does the path of war hold for him?

BAAB talks about it... Bringing Ahmadou Kourouma’s masterpiece to the screen was a bold gamble. Zaven Najjar rises to the challenge with a striking animated adaptation that refuses to look away from the brutality of a lost adult world. Through the odyssey of Birahima, a child soldier thrown into the turmoil of West Africa’s civil wars, the film portrays chaos as seen from a child’s perspective, amid drugs, political manipulation, and war rituals. What stands out is its fidelity to Kourouma’s tone: an ironic, disillusioned narrative, sometimes marked by chilling dark humor. This biting distance never provokes laughter; it underscores the absurdity of conflicts born from artificial borders and power rivalries.

Allah n’est pas obligé is a cry of rage, a subjective fresco denouncing the instrumentalization of innocence, a salutary work. An intense cinematic experience (the film is prohibited for under 12s) to discover from March 2026 in your Majestic cinemas.

CINEMA AT IFCI

HAMNET by Chloé Zhao

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 7 p.m.

by Andrea

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Admission : 3,000 FCFA ; reduced admission : 2,000 FCFA (library members, under-18s and students under-30s).

To find out dates and times subscribe to the IFCI WhatsApp channel on 07 08 81 06 68.

Plateau, av. Franchet d’Esperey 27 20 20 40 60 Institut Français de Côte d’Ivoire institutfrançais.ci

WANT TO TRY…

PUPPY YOGA

Doing your downward-facing dog while real puppies come to give you little licks? That is the concept of puppy yoga, the sporting trend born in the United States, which became viral in Europe, and is now accessible in Abidjan.

The cutest wellness session arrives in Abidjan!

The principle is simple and irresistible: a classic yoga class… surrounded by puppies in search of affection and socialization. During the postures, these little balls of fur circulate freely between the mats, play, snuggle against participants, or quietly observe the session. The result: a relaxed, joyful, and totally uninhibited atmosphere. Organized in partnership with local breeders, the sessions allow the puppies to become familiar with humans from a very young age, while offering participants a real wellness

PUPPY YOGA

March 14, 2026 at 10: AM, Aichti Hôtel Marcory 07 87 02 46 90 abidjan_puppy_yoga

boost. Because yes, interacting with puppies helps reduce stress, stimulates happiness hormones, and makes the experience even more soothing than a classic class.

In Abidjan, Anna Ouattara, passionate about yoga and the canine world, regularly offers these unique sessions, announced on her Insta page. Each meeting combines 1 hour of yoga in the company of the puppies, followed by a time for games, cuddles, and exchanges.

TNC 2026

CRAC CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A GREAT RUGBY FESTIVAL!

On April 12, 2026, come see, discover, support, and celebrate. Ivorian rugby awaits you on the field! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

On April 12, 2026, the CRAC National Tournament (TNC) returns for a very special edition: that of the 10th anniversary of the Cocody Rugby Abidjan Club. Ten years of commitment, transmission, and ambition during which CRAC has built, trained, and structured youth rugby in Côte d’Ivoire. The TNC is its showcase: an event that has become essential for Ivorian rugby youth.

This year again, nearly 1,000 young players aged 5 to 15 are expected, representing clubs from all over the country. More than 80 matches will punctuate the day, supervised by trained educators and a dedicated medical setup.

The TNC is not just a tournament!

It is 3,000 meals served, hundreds of young people coming sometimes from far away, housed and supported. It is a precisionengineered organization, carried out by committed volunteers and mobilized partners. It is a structured framework that offers children the conditions for a demanding, safe, and formative rugby experience. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, CRAC wants to make this edition a strong marker. Not just to celebrate a decade of existence, but to affirm a trajectory: development of women’s rugby, training of educators, structuring of youth competitions, and increasing organizational standards.

It is also a great day open to all!

The curious, families, friends, sports fans, or simple lovers of great atmospheres are welcome to discover rugby, understand its rules, feel the excitement at the edge of the fields, and share a convivial moment in the exceptional setting of Ivoire Academy, between the lagoon and the open sky, near the famous “airplane cemetery.” On-site, a bodega (snack bar) will allow you to eat and have lunch in a festive and relaxed atmosphere.

To mark its 10th anniversary, CRAC aims to make this edition a symbol: that of a structured, ambitious club, focused on the future, particularly through the development of women’s rugby and youth training. The 2026 TNC will live up to this ambition.

TOURNOI NATIONAL DU CRAC

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Songon, Ivoire Académie cracrugbyabidjan.com

UNUSUAL VISIT

THE FÉLICIA AS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT!

We all pass in front of it. We have vibrated there for a match, a concert, or a national celebration. But do you really know the history and secrets of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium? The legendary “Félicia” opens its doors to you for an immersive guided tour at the heart of one of the most emblematic infrastructures in Côte d’Ivoire.

Dive behind the scenes of the temple of Ivorian sport.

Inaugurated in 1964 and named in honor of the first president of Côte d’Ivoire, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium is much more than a sports arena. It is here that the greatest chapters of Ivorian sport and culture were written: mythical matches, unforgettable

concerts, historical speeches… But do you really know its secrets?

An immersive visit to know everything!

Explore behind the scenes: locker rooms, players’ tunnel, sacred pitch… Access places usually forbidden to the public!

Relive the great moments: listen to juicy anecdotes and stories of events that marked the history of the stadium.

Immortalize your visit: capture unique images in an exceptional setting.

FHB STADIUM VISIT

Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Rates: Nationals: 1,000 FCFA (children), 2,000 FCFA (adults); Non-nationals: 2,000 FCFA (children), 5,000 FCFA (adults). Reservations: 07 57 96 32 83

THE SPORTS CORNER EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED!

MARCH 5 TO 15

Padel Ramadan Cup Tournaments

Zone 4

MARCH 14 AND 15

RUNNING – 24h Running Festival

Ivoire Académie, Songon 05 54 44 70 39

MARCH 14 AND 15

YOGA HIKE AROUND ABOISSO

Hiking, yoga, nature, and relaxation anandareflexoyogaabidjan

MARCH 20 TO 22

BODYBOARD – Workshop with Pierre-Louis Costes

Double Bodyboard World Champion

Assinie

07 78 27 77 27

MARCH 20 TO 23

SURF - Côte d’Ivoire Surf Open

Competition, music festival, cinema Assinie km7 surfcotedivoire

MARCH 26 TO 28

TABLE TENNIS

Côte d’Ivoire International Open

Palais des sports de Treichville

MARCH 26 TO 28

2026 IVORY COAST RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

TFRC Rally – San Pédro Edition Rallye du Team Fana Rallye Club - TFRC

MARCH 28 AND 29

ASSINIE TRIATHLON

Swimming, running, cycling; for adults and children aschronos.com

APRIL 4 AND 5

SURF - Kame Surf Contest

Surfing and bodyboarding competition, beach party, electro evening at Kamayakoi Assinie, Kame Surf Camp kamesurf

RICA 2026 THE FULL PROGRAM!

Celebration, madness and lots of emotions around circus as we see it only once a year in Abidjan!

The launch of the 8th edition of RICA is happening this month! Placed this year under the theme “Youth and perspectives, a challenge to take up,” the festival will begin on March 9 with performances for children (schools and the Mother-Child Hospital of Bingerville) and round tables for professionals, then will open to the general public from Wednesday the 11th for 4 days of breathtaking performances (accessible from 3 years old) at the Institut français. 8 companies will be present this year. To find out what they have in store for you, here is the program!

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026

8:30 PM : OPENING SHOW with all the companies. An evening full of surprises to appreciate the richness of this edition’s program.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

6:30 PM: LES SOEURS KIF-KIF – CANADA-QUEBEC

Two twin sisters work in the Returns Department, where they inspect defective objects sent back by dissatisfied customers. Combining physical theatre, circus, robotics and puppetry, the show offers a playful look behind the scenes of production and shows how, from imperfection, freedom and invention are born.

8:30 PM: COMPAGNIE TINAFAN – GUINEA

RICA 8

From March 9 to 14, 2026, Institut français

Tickets on www.lehub.online, at La Fabrique Culturelle, FNAC and Institut français

With “Sous le Masque du D’Mba,” the company plunges us into the world of the sacred mask of the Baga of Guinea, symbol of feminine beauty and strength. Between dance, music, circus and striking performances, the magic of this heritage comes to life before your eyes.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026

6:30 PM: COMPAGNIE DAVAI – ISRAEL:

If the company is based in Tel-Aviv, its actors come from very different countries and nationalities that geopolitics would like to separate. But art brings together… and they present a show overflowing with visual humor and unbridled absurdity, carried by three clowns with a poetic universe.

8:30 PM: IVOIRE CIRQUE DÉCALÉ – CÔTE

D’IVOIRE:

With “Les Cancanières,” at the crossroads of circus and African cabaret, six female artists coming from hip-hop, coupé-décalé and acrobatics shatter the clichés of fragility and silence associated with women in the circus world.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026

3 PM: LES MAGICIENS DE B.K.O – MALI

Young and talented, these magicians from Bamako invite the public to see magic differently: no longer as simple entertainment, but as a true language.

5 PM: COMPAGNIE HYPNOTEAM – FRANCE

This show explores the mysteries of hypnosis through a spectacular staging mixing pedagogy, humor, emotion and astonishing demonstrations. A moment that is both playful and instructive.

7 PM: COMPAGNIE BONDEKO – SENEGAL

A magical show where live music plays with acrobatics, trapeze and dance! On stage, artists from different horizons take you on a journey full of colors, rhythms and surprises.

9 PM: COMPAGNIE NSOLEH – CÔTE D’IVOIRE

“On descend à la Rue Princesse” is an explosive show imagining a hyper maquis of Abidjan in 2030, in a total and liberated party atmosphere. From live coupé-décalé music to Ivorian techno and electro, the show mixes dance and acrobatics under the direction of choreographer Massidi Adiatou.

Tarifs : Opening ceremony: 15,000 FCFA and 7,500 FCFA for children under 10. Shows: 7,500 FCFA and 5,000 FCFA for children under 10.

March 13th at 7 PM at Palais d’Akwa

Réservations : 07 09 48 74 87

March 28, 2026

March 28, 2026

La Maison d’Akoula, Assinie

Inscriptions sur www.cracrugbyabidjan.com

March 13, 2026

CPA LOTTERY

Fun and heart

WITHFAMILY

A family bingo game is fun! But when it supports a good cause, it’s even better! For its 5th edition, the Animal Protection Committee is organizing a grand evening at the Akwa Palace, which will be transformed into a vintage 1950s funfair and circus. A breathtaking setting, magnificent prizes, and the opportunity to support the association’s work... 3 great reasons to participate!

AKOULANTA

A life-sized adventure in Assinie

Looking to break free from the routine and experience a real family adventure? Head to Assinie for Akoulanta, a dynamic day combining sport, fun, and camaraderie, organized by CRAC (Cocody Rugby Abidjan Club) in the beautiful setting of the Maison d’Akoula!

The concept is simple: in teams, you’ll tackle a series of challenges on two separate courses, one for children and one for adults, so everyone can have fun and push their limits at their own pace. You’ll run, you’ll think, you’ll cooperate, you’ll laugh a lot, you’ll play... and above all, you’ll share a fantastic time! Don’t waste any more time: form your team, choose your team cry, and sign up! The day will conclude with lunch on the beach.

FORKIDS

March 14, 2026

WOMEN’S VEGETABLE GARDEN

Cultivating the land among girls

What if you could finally take back control of what you eat? The Women’s Vegetable Garden workshop by My Home Vegetable Garden invites you to a 1.5-hour theoretical immersion to learn how to grow your own vegetables, even if you have no prior experience. Led by an agronomist, this workshop will teach you the essential basics to start your vegetable garden and give you all the tools you need for successful daily cultivation. You’ll leave with a free plant to start growing as soon as you get home.

WOMEN’S VEGETABLE GARDEN

Radio writing and expression

March 7, 2026

In the company of Amélie N’Dia, children (from 7 years old) will start with letters to form words and then sentences that will make up a story! Small, fun workshops will introduce them to writing and work on their imagination to become the authors of their stories.

March 21, 2026

In a fun way, children will learn to use the radio to freely express their thoughts on current topics, create content and promote it to the best of their ability together.

IFCI WORKSHOPS

March 7th and 21st, 2026 at 9 AM Free entry upon registration: mediatheque@ institutfrancais.ci

SPECIALGIRLS

March 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM, Espace WoW, Riviera 3. Reservations : 01 03

From March 7 to May 9, 2026

KITA WORKSHOPS

Webtoons, comics, mangas

Do you draw manga in your notebooks? Do you dream of launching your own comic book or webtoon? It’s time to take your skills to the next level with the KITA Workshops. From March 7th to May 9th, 2026, at the Ivorian-Korean Center in Cocody, participate in a comprehensive, certified training program led by Sensei Allanva, an experienced Ivorian author-illustrator and series editor. Two tracks are offered to develop your talent: aspiring comic artists (ages 12 and up) will delve into the technical fundamentals (shadows, volume, storytelling) to build a solid portfolio; aspiring professionals (18+) will participate in a true masterclass combining project creation, expert presentations, and precise editorial guidance. Whether for pleasure or to make it your profession, come structure your ideas and bring your stories to life!

ENFAMILLE

TRAINING

KITA WORKSHOPS

From March 7 to May 9, 2026, Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Centre Ivoiro-Coréen, Cocody, Lycée Technique Reservations : 07 07 38 30 71

From April 4th to 6th, 2026

LEARN THE KORA!

Immersed in Assouidé

Have you always dreamed of playing the kora? Good news! Whether you’re a beginner or already an experienced player, the Kora Museum in Assouindé is organizing a workshop led by the griot Sekouba Koné. Immerse yourself in the music with this renowned kora player to learn technique, traditional rhythms, and gain a deeper understanding of Mandinka culture.

STAGE DE KORA

From April 4th to 6th, 2026, Assouindé Registration: 07 68 69 13 41

VOYAGE

POPO CARNIVAL 2026

THE ABOURÉ GIANT WILL SOON AWAKEN!

Get ready, the Popo Carnival of Bonoua is back to shake up your April 2026!

From April 6 to 19, 2026, Bonoua, the pineapple city, transforms to host the 45th edition of its mythical Popo Carnival. Under the theme “Identity and touristic cultural heritage in motion,” this event establishes itself as a must-attend gathering with more than 10,000 visitors expected, 500 overexcited carnival-goers, and around forty maquis ready to vibrate. Get ready, the atmosphere promises to be electric.

A sacred heritage brought up to date

Born in 1972 from the ashes of the yam festival, the Popo — which means “mask” in the Abouré language — is a vibrant tribute to ancestors and protective water deities. For fifteen days, the city of Bonoua becomes a living sanctuary where ritual libations coexist with modern music concerts. For this 2026 edition, the major innovation is the grouping of festivities on a single site: the Popo Village, a real cultural hub equipped with a main stage so you don’t miss any of the show.

The canons of beauty: Ébé and Awoulaba

The Popo Carnival is also the temple of African aesthetics. Beauty contests are sacred institutions here. At the Youth Center, the election of Awoulaba will celebrate the generous curves of women who have experienced motherhood, while the Miss Popo contest will crown young women representing Ivorian beauty, modernity, and elegance. Facing them, the Ébé contest will highlight the well-proportioned man, an athlete with a proud torso embodying the Abouré masculine ideal. These ambassadors of grace will be the stars of the grand closing parade.

A rich program between mystique and celebration

The celebration traditionally opens with a torchlight retreat, where festival-goers, equipped with dried palms (ètè), walk through the city’s streets in mystical fervor. The program of this fortnight is a mosaic of activities:

Sport and gastronomy: Gala matches and trade fair to taste local delights.

Customary ceremonies: Presentation of pubescent young girls and birth rites to understand the social organization of age groups.

The weekend: Saturday is marked by the parade of masked men and burlesque scenes. Sunday morning is dedicated to ancestral worship and family gatherings, before the grand afternoon parade.

Crédit photos : Popo Carnaval

The Grand Carnival: the climax

The highlight of the festival remains the monumental parade at the Popo Square. It is an explosive parade of magnificently decorated floats, majorettes, and brass bands. You will discover the most secret customary manifestations: the presentation of pubescent girls, birth ceremonies, and the solemn accompaniment of a wife to her husband.

The celebration culminates with the Dance of the Genies, where the Popo masks, embodying the protective spirits of the forest and waters, enter into trance to the sound of drums and the Adjoukrou rhythm. The finale will be marked by the symbolic burning of King Popo, a giant papier-mâché figure, followed by a giant masked ball lasting until dawn.

OUTDOOR GOOD DEAL PICNIC IN DAGBÉGO!

More than just an outing… it’s a real vibe!

Do you feel like getting away for a weekend?

Jacques Allatin invites you to experience a unique moment of relaxation, on a picnic in Dagbégo, a coastal village between Fresco and Sassandra on a paradisiacal beach where nature reigns supreme, far from any pollution. Tempting, isn’t it?

A raw and intact natural setting

Dagbégo is a small, still untouched Ivorian paradise. The bay is built on a spectacular strip of land, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Dagbé coastal river, which winds through primary forest before turning into a lagoon. It’s the perfect place to settle down, breathe fresh air, and enjoy a warm and calm sea.

On the program: Relaxation and indulgence

Here, you forget everything! The atmosphere is made of music, laughter, and sharing. Activities: Swimming, volleyball, football, Ludo or Awalé… or just lazing around.

Exceptional menu: We focus on the ultra-short supply chain. Fish, prawns, and lobsters come fresh out of the sea to be grilled on the spot. Only fresh!

Exploration: Discover the rocks of the bay, the river mouth, or taste “dead coconuts” directly on the beach.

The adventure continues in the evening in Sassandra for a seaside dinner and a night at the hotel, before an immersion in the city’s history the next day. So, who’s coming?