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