The Ivorian government has taken steps to educate the populations of Ouellé on the opportunities presented by the Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) for the period 2026-2030. On September 25, 2026, a ceremony was held in the commune of Ouellé, where local development actors and residents learned about the benefits of ESS. According to Ouellé's mayor, Ya Komenan Raphaël, the ESS aims to develop the commune by creating activities that cater to the needs of its inhabitants.
Mayor Ya Raphaël emphasized that the ESS will enable the commune to associate its populations directly with decision-making processes, ensuring that benefits are shared equitably among the community. He highlighted that the ESS prioritizes cooperatives, associations, and mutual enterprises that pursue collective utility objectives. This approach allows individuals with limited resources to pool their skills, work, and resources to achieve their projects collectively.
The mayor noted that the social and solidarity economy will particularly benefit farmers, who will be able to form groups, improve production, sell collectively, and negotiate better prices for their products. Additionally, women, youth, and artisans will have increased access to training, equipment, and new markets. These measures are expected to strengthen trust, solidarity, and social cohesion within the villages, promoting inclusive and harmonious development.
Aboubakari Sylla, Director General of AFRICADIR and a professional territorial coach, provided further insights into the ESS. He emphasized that this economic approach prioritizes human needs and addresses social, economic, and environmental concerns of local communities. Sylla highlighted that the ESS is built on existing laws governing cooperatives, associations, and mutual enterprises.
The Ivorian National Assembly adopted the framework law on the social and solidarity economy on April 2, 2026, which was subsequently approved by the Senate on June 9, 2026. This legislative framework provides a foundation for the development of ESS in Côte d'Ivoire. The government's efforts aim to create an enabling environment for the growth of social and solidarity economy initiatives.
The introduction of ESS in Ouellé is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and community development. By empowering residents and local actors, the government hopes to promote sustainable and inclusive growth. The ESS will enable the commune to leverage its resources and potential, ultimately improving the quality of life for its inhabitants.
The promotion of social and solidarity economy in Côte d'Ivoire reflects the government's commitment to fostering sustainable development and addressing social and economic challenges. The ESS offers a promising approach to promoting economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability, and its implementation in Ouellé will be closely watched as a model for other regions.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire promotes social and solidarity economy to foster development and inclusivity in Ouellé.
- The ESS aims to develop Ouellé by creating activities that cater to the needs of its inhabitants.
- The Ivorian government has adopted a framework law on the social and solidarity economy to provide a foundation for its development.
