Just weeks ahead of the celebration of the 66th anniversary of Côte d’Ivoire’s Independence, the municipality of Yopougon is turning to music to bring Ivorians together.
The commune has brought together nine iconic figures from the national music scene to record an official anthem that will accompany the Independence Day celebrations on August 7, 2026.
Led by Léopoldine Kochi, Director of Socio-Cultural Affairs at the Yopougon City Hall, the initiative features an unprecedented lineup including Bally Spinto, Luckson Pado, Ismaël Isaac, Kerozen, VDA, Les Leaders, Lato Crespino, Lili Djeli, and Team de Poy.
The musical arrangement has been entrusted to renowned maestro Athanase Koudou, celebrated for his expertise and collaborations with several leading African artists, including Malian music legend Salif Keïta.
By bringing together artists from different musical genres and generations, the project's organizers aim to make the song a symbol of Côte d’Ivoire’s cultural diversity. Their objective is to create a work capable of uniting people from all backgrounds and turning the Independence celebrations into a moment of national unity.
Far more than a ceremonial anthem, the production is designed as a powerful tool for public engagement. Organizers hope it will be widely broadcast on radio stations, digital platforms, and social media, encouraging people to sing it in neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces, making music one of the key driving forces behind the celebrations.
The initiative carries particular significance as Yopougon becomes the first municipality in the Autonomous District of Abidjan to host the official National Day celebrations, reinforcing its status as a symbol of Ivorian diversity and social cohesion.
Supported by Adama Bictogo, Member of Parliament, Mayor of Yopougon, and Chairman of the Independence Day Organizing Committee, the project aims to leave a lasting mark on the country's collective memory. Through this anthem, Yopougon hopes to provide a unifying soundtrack for the 66th anniversary of Côte d’Ivoire’s Independence and make this edition one of the most memorable in the history of the nation's celebrations.
