Before the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the globe, Côte d’Ivoire stood out as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. From 2012 to 2019, the nation boasted an annual growth rate of 8%, fueled by sound economic policies and a period of relative political stability. The benefits were tangible: poverty rates fell from 44% to 39.5%, and the country made strides in education and health, increasing its Human Capital Index (HCI) score from 0.30 to 0.38 over the past decade.
However, these national achievements often contrast sharply with the realities in rural areas. Take Assoum 2, a small village nestled in the far northeastern corner of the country, near the border with Burkina Faso. For years, children attended classes in…
