Aries Region

The Region of Bélier is located in the center of Côte d'Ivoire in the "V Baoulé" and is subdivided into four (04) Departments: Toumodi (Capital), Djekanou, Tiebissou, and Didievi. It covers an area of 6,809 km², which is 2.11% of the national area.

 

• The population of the region is as follows:

ENTITY	POPULATION				HOUSEHOLDS
	MEN	WOMEN	TOTAL	SEX RATIO	NUMBER	AVERAGE SIZE
Bélier Region	213,448	202,145	415,593	106	80,381	5.2
TOUMODI Department	87,307	81,056	168,363	108	33,553	5.0
TOUMODI (Capital)	45,004	43,576	88,580	103	17,809	4.9

Source: INS, RGPH 2021

 

• Toumodi, the capital of the region, is a Local Economic Connector (a small town that is at an embryonic stage of urbanization facilitating internal economies of scale, such as hosting a large company that processes local agricultural products) whose economy is characterized by a prevalence of agropastoral activities (Study on the Competitive Economic Pole Development Program - PEC, 2018). It is easily accessible (North Highway) and close to major urban centers (198 kilometers from Abidjan, 30 kilometers from Yamoussoukro, 40 kilometers from Dimbokro, which is the capital of the N’ZI Region, and 125 kilometers from Gagnoa, which is the capital of the GÔH Region);
• Four (04) commercial banks and three (03) microfinance institutions operate there;
• Mobile network coverage (July 2023): 97.89% of localities and 99.12% of the population are covered;
• Health: The health infrastructure in the region includes most of the essential technical platforms.

 

Health Infrastructure	Number
Primary Contact Health Establishments (ESPC)	161
General Hospitals	04
Confessional General Hospitals	01
Regional Hospital Centers	01
Private Profit-Making Care Establishments	30
Functional Operating Theaters	11
Functional Gynecological-Obstetric Operating Rooms	03
Functional Public Radiology Services	04
Functional Private Radiology Services	06
Public Dental Clinics	04
Private Dental Clinics	04
Public Pharmacies	22
Private Pharmacies	27

Source: MSHPCMU, 2022

 

The key economic sectors include agriculture and agro-industry, animal resources, mining resources, and tourism.

 

• Agriculture:

Type of Crop	Crops	Production (in tons)
		2021	2022	2023
Cash Crops	Rubber	9,934	13,114	13,227
	Oil Palm	15,982	14,394	16,316
	Cocoa	10,251	11,425	10,316
	Cashew	4,814	6,976	7,124
	Coffee	437	717	680
	Oil Palm	15,982	14,394	16,316
	Rubber	9,934	13,114	16,141
Food Crops	Plantain Banana	136,141	141,417	115,685
	Yam	617,161	633,125	338,123
	Corn	4,335	4,562	8,212
	Rice	2,705	1,969	2,203
	Cassava	620,974	670,416	175,156
	Peanut	1,108	1,153	2,409
	Taro	937	965	ND
	Potato	158	163	ND
Vegetable Crops	Eggplant	1,072	1,097	3,259
	Okra	1,517	1,563	2,977
	Tomato	2,175	2,242	3,116

Source: MEMINADERPV, 2023        ND: Not Available

 

 

Animal Resources:

Type of Livestock	Species	Livestock (in number of heads)
		2022
Poultry	Broilers	145,442
	Layers	118,302
	Traditional Chickens	83,577
Ruminants	Cattle	59,434
	Sheep	47,499
	Goats	54,712
Pigs	Traditional Pig	10,284
	Modern Pig

Source: MIRAH, estimation 2022

• Mining Resources: the region has reserves of gold, including Kokoumbo;
• Tourism: the region's tourist offerings include:
• The Abokouamékro Wildlife Reserve;
• The Raviart Marian Cave;
• The chain of hills commonly known as the Baoulé chain.

 

As part of the implementation of the National Development Plan (PND) 2021-2025, the Bélier Region is included in the area covered by the Agro-pole "Academic and Transformation Pole" (Agro-pole 4).

Investment opportunities exist in the following sectors:

• Agriculture and Agro-industry: Creation of agropastoral farms or financing of agricultural projects, establishment of eco-farms for agropastoral training, investments in the development of food crop sectors (Yam, Rice, Cassava), cash crop sectors (Cocoa, Coffee, Cashew) and the processing of these agricultural products.
• Mining resources: Exploration and exploitation of gold mines;
• National education: Construction of colleges and high schools (public and private).

Some priority projects and actions have been identified for the benefit of the Bélier Region, including:

 

NB	Project or Action Description	Planning Document	Estimated Cost (FCFA)	Comments
01	Bauxite mining exploitation in Toumodi	PND 2021 -2025	Not specified	Business opportunity to seize
02	Construction of the Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridor		Not specified	Business opportunity to seize
03	Development of an Industrial Zone		Not specified	Business opportunity to seize
04	Electrification of localities in the Bélier		Not specified	Business opportunity to seize
05	Construction and strengthening of roads (heavy and light profiling) and structures.		Not specified	Business opportunity to seize
06	Construction of social and economic housing		Not specified	Business opportunity to seize
07	Implementation of the land development program for the production of housing and serviced land accessible to all		Not specified	Business opportunity to seize
08	Implementation of the Competitive Economic Pole (PEC) program of Toumodi (Local Economic Connector)		Not specified	Business opportunity to seize

Source: MEPD, 2024 / PS-Gouv2