Yorùbá traders, known locally as Anago, have been part of life in Côte d’Ivoire since the French colonial period, above all in the markets of Abidjan.
History
Yorùbá traders settled in Côte d’Ivoire during the French colonial period, many from the Ọ̀yọ́, Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ and Ìlọrin areas. They built strong positions in the markets of Abidjan, such as Adjamé and Treichville, and in Bouaké and other towns, trading in cloth, household goods and provisions.
Community Life
The Anago community is largely Muslim and is organised through hometown associations and community heads. Like other West African immigrants, Yorùbá residents faced insecurity during Côte d’Ivoire’s political crises of 2002–2011, but the community remains an established part of the country’s commercial life.