I have been living in Berlin with my husband Holger since 2005. For many years, we have been renting out part of our apartment as a bed and breakfast, welcoming guests from all over the world. At other times, we have also shared our home with long-term roommates and experienced how enriching cultural exchange can be.
One of our former roommates comes from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. He was born and raised there, later studied theology in London, and lived with us in Berlin for several years before moving to Madrid. Through him, I finally had the opportunity to visit the last continent that was still missing from my personal travel list: Africa.
In 2023, I traveled to Abidjan for the first time. I was immediately fascinated by the city, its people, and its unique atmosphere. What was originally intended as a one-time trip quickly turned into a passion. Since then, I have returned to Côte d'Ivoire several times and have built many lasting friendships.
What impressed me most was that Côte d'Ivoire is still far from being a mass tourism destination. Many places remain authentic and untouched by large-scale tourism. Visitors do not encounter a world created for tourists, but rather the everyday life of a fascinating West African country. It offers a direct and genuine experience that has become increasingly rare in many parts of the world.
Of course, Côte d'Ivoire also faces challenges. Poverty, unemployment, and social issues are visible in many areas and shape the daily lives of many people. As everywhere in the world, you will meet all kinds of personalities – friendly and helpful people, as well as people who are simply occupied with their own concerns and struggles.
What has stayed with me, however, is the remarkable energy and resilience of many Ivorians. Despite often difficult circumstances, people laugh, celebrate, and place great importance on family, friendships, and community life. This combination of challenges, authenticity, and joy for life fascinated me from the very beginning and is one of the reasons why I keep coming back.
During my first visit, I met Fidel. His open, easy-going, and trustworthy personality quickly led to a close friendship. Over time, we developed the idea of creating a place where travelers could experience Côte d'Ivoire not just as visitors, but through genuine local connections and authentic experiences.
This is how our guesthouse project in Cocody-Angré was born. Fidel lives in Abidjan and supports our guests with practical advice, local recommendations, and assistance throughout their stay. Thanks to his knowledge of the city, guests can discover Abidjan from a perspective that few ordinary tourists ever experience.
Later, another friend, David, joined the project as a financial partner. What started as a personal idea gradually became a small international project connecting Germany, Côte d'Ivoire, and the United States.
For me, this project also has a social dimension. It is not only about providing travelers with a memorable place to stay, but also about creating opportunities and supporting people locally. Fidel has taken on an important role within the project and is a key part of its success.
From the beginning, I never wanted to create an anonymous accommodation business. My goal has always been to create a place where people can meet, exchange ideas, learn about the culture of Côte d'Ivoire, and experience Abidjan as I came to know it myself: authentic, vibrant, diverse, and full of surprises.
This project is much more than accommodation for me. It is about connecting people, cultures, and friendships. What began as a journey has become a true passion project, and I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for Abidjan and Côte d'Ivoire with our guests while offering them a glimpse into a country that remains largely undiscovered by international tourism and therefore offers so many unique experiences.
Stephan Franke-Knauf
Berlin & Abidjan 🇩🇪 🇨🇮
