In Abidjan, the iconic coffee sellers asked to leave the streets

Challenges Faced by Street Coffee Sellers in Abidjan

The city of Abidjan is on the brink of losing one of its symbols as authorities crack down on street vendors, including sellers of instant coffee who roam the streets. The newly established brigade against urban disorder has been systematically dismantling informal food, phone, and clothing stands that clutter the sidewalks, without exception for the small coffee carts that are iconic in the Ivorian economic capital.

Changing Landscape of Street Coffee Culture

To find these coffee carts now, one must venture into narrow alleyways or even inside neighborhoods as they have been pushed away from the main avenues. These carts, traditionally painted in red, green, or blue, with strings of sachets of instant coffee hanging from their wooden frames, used to be a common sight enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

Impact of Nescafé Entrepreneurship Programs

The street coffee culture in Abidjan saw a transformation with programs like “My Own Business” initiated by Nestlé, promoting microenterprises through the sale of Nescafé. Participants in the program were trained to set up small businesses selling Nescafé in high foot-traffic areas, equipped with branded red carts and supplies.

Controversies Surrounding the Crackdown

Recent social media posts and reports depict the destruction of these beloved coffee carts by the urban disorder brigade, enforcing a ban on street vending and begging. This crackdown, led by Minister-Governor Ibrahim Cissé Bacongo, aims to clear public spaces but has elicited mixed reactions from the community, considering the cultural significance and popularity of these coffee carts.

Call for Regulating Street Coffee Sales

While the authorities push for a cleaner urban environment, voices like the slameur Placide Konan advocate for regulating rather than eliminating street coffee vending. Konan emphasizes the uniqueness and charm these vendors bring to the city, reminiscing about the distinctive coffee culture that is now at risk of being discarded in the name of development.