In Abidjan, the “laté” as a mirror of wealth gaps

In Abidjan, the word “laté” is used, in some of the ways described by Tobeh, to refer to people considered well-off. In his video, the creator starts with content seen on social media to examine the signs associated with this social position: a highly equipped bedroom, expensive purchases, outings, studies abroad, or even a way of speaking regarded as closer to French spoken in France.

But his point goes beyond entertainment codes. He contrasts these images of abundance with the financial difficulties faced by part of the population. The video thus presents Abidjan as a city where widely differing economic realities coexist.

“Laté,” a term associated with financial comfort

According to Tobeh, “laté” is a shortening of “chocolaté,” a word used in some conversations to refer to people who have money. He says he does not know how this label became established, but points out that it now serves as a social marker in online discussions and videos.

This label does not refer only to income level. In the clips discussed, it is also linked to a way of life and visible signs: owning or using a family car, attending certain concerts, living in neighborhoods identified as affluent, displaying expensive items, or moving within particular social circles.

However, the creator emphasizes one idea: in these representations, being “laté” is also “a state of mind.” In other words, perception would depend not only on what is shown, but also on how a person behaves and presents themselves.

Social media makes the contrasts more visible

A significant part of the video is based on observing Ivorian content creators. Tobeh notably mentions videos in which a young woman shows a large lighted mirror or explains that she wants to buy an item in a specific color. According to him, these sequences prompt reactions because they show a daily life far removed from that of many internet users.

He also comments on content showing meetings with artists or scenes of life in settings perceived as privileged. For him, the issue is not just the object or event itself: it is the gap between what is presented on screen and the economic constraints that many people say they face.

The comments under these videos then become a space for confrontation. Some internet users downplay the price of expensive concert tickets, while others point out that such amounts can represent a substantial sum. Tobeh highlights this contrast between wealth displayed online and the financial realities he associates with the daily lives of many Ivorians.

Language, schools, and networks: social markers mentioned

In the video, the way someone speaks is presented as one of the clues often used to classify a person as “laté.” Tobeh uses the term “chokobi” to describe a way of speaking that he considers closer to French spoken in France than to Ivorian usage. However, he specifies that there are said to be several degrees to this way of speaking, depending on the perceptions of people commenting on this content.

He also cites the example of a content creator, Nadiani, whose speaking style he comments on. His analysis remains that of an observer of online codes: he describes speech that is very fluid and, in his view, very far removed from the popular linguistic references he knows.

Educational and university paths also appear as signs of social distinction in his account. Tobeh mentions a young Ivorian woman who graduated from Stanford at age 23 and stresses the cost of studying in the United States as he presents it in the video. He sees this as illustrating an environment in which some families can fund highly selective and expensive educational paths.

He also states that, among younger people, certain schools with high tuition fees and certain neighborhoods can encourage the formation of groups that know one another and move through life together. This observation is presented as his personal reading of the circles visible on social media.

A contrast with ordinary economic realities

In response to these images of financial comfort, Tobeh recalls his own relationship with everyday spending. In a humorous tone, he mentions paying attention to small amounts and to the change returned during a purchase. Behind these anecdotes, he emphasizes that available money is not distributed in the same way for everyone.

The video puts forward estimates of average daily income and the share of the population considered poor. These figures are cited by the creator without a detailed source in the transcript. They mainly serve to illustrate his central idea: for a large part of the population, the spending showcased in some online content is difficult to access.

Tobeh therefore describes a striking coexistence: on one side, displays of consumption, leisure, and mobility; on the other, people for whom every purchase must be calculated. He compares this situation to contrasts that can be observed, in his view, in other countries considered poor or emerging.

Infrastructure and public money at the heart of the questions

The video also addresses debates over major projects and the use of public money. Tobeh comments on a sequence showing the construction of a very large tower in Abidjan, presented in the clip as the tallest in West Africa, or even potentially in Africa. He himself says that he is not certain of this claim.

This image gives rise to criticism in the comments cited: some people contrast the presumed cost of such a project with the need for social housing. Tobeh qualifies this type of reaction. He notes that a major project does not necessarily generate an immediate benefit for the population, but that it can also produce indirect and more lasting effects. He adds that the issue remains debated.

Another excerpt mentioned in the video concerns sums that were allegedly supposed to be paid back to local authorities from collected taxes. The amounts mentioned and the allegations reported come from the sequence commented on by Tobeh. He does not present them as the result of a personal investigation and specifies that he is not directly accusing any particular actor.

On the political level, he reports a simplified view of the opposition between social priorities and economic development priorities. He links this presentation to broader debates about the left, the right, capitalism, and the distribution of wealth, while acknowledging that these categories are more complex than the summary offered in the video.

Beyond the label, a question of social cohesion

“Laté” is treated with humor, exaggeration, and references to social media trends. Yet the video brings out a deeper question: how can people live in the same city when their experiences of housing, education, leisure, and everyday spending are so far apart?

Tobeh does not offer a political solution. Instead, he concludes by stressing the complexity of wealth distribution and expressing hope for improvement in Côte d’Ivoire. In his account, social differences are part of the tensions visible in Abidjan, but also of the diversity of paths that make up the city.

FAQ

What does “laté” mean in Tobeh’s video?

In the video, the term is used to refer to people perceived as well-off. Tobeh links it to “chocolaté,” a label he associates with money and a privileged lifestyle.

What elements are associated with “laté” in Abidjan?

The video mentions visible spending, outings, access to certain schools, residential neighborhoods, social networks, and a way of speaking described as “chokobi.”

What is the main theme of the video?

The central subject is the contrast between content that stages financial comfort and the economic difficulties mentioned for another part of Abidjan’s population.

Video source: A video by Tobeh: Being on the right side of Abidjan (Nadiani, etc.)