In Yopougon, The Municipal Council produced a study about the music industry that will resonate throughout the neighborhood’s entire 2 million people population. With support from UNESCO International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD), the Yopougon Municipality Council commissioned a mapping study and strategy to identify and increase cultural industry activity to speed-up growth and employment in the Yopougon Community, in a post-conflict situation.

The mapping study recommended that the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie designate Yopougon the epicentre of music development in Côte d’Ivoire and commit to putting in place the necessary infrastructure to strengthen the music industry.

The aim of the strategy was to catalyze coordination and develop a creative industry growth plan for the municipality. The work built on a thorough inventory of the existing capacities and the identification of priority areas for investment.

The strategic objectives included the promotion of artists at the social and economic level through adequate training; the identification and training of cultural agents to develop dynamic and prosperous creative industries; the identification of potential national and international investors and cultural entrepreneurs and the adoption of a legal and financial framework. It also recommended the creation of the NZASSA music hub (encompassing museum, theater, cultural companies) and a music distribution network to meet the needs of more than 300 000 professionals.

The study also revealed the potential for job creation: more than 1000 new jobs would be created, including 500 jobs for artists, technicians and managers.