The simmering discontent within the Ivorian film industry has just reached a critical point. On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, actress Bienvenue Koffi broke the code of silence, delivering a poignant testimony about the precarious living conditions of actors in Ivory Coast.

The Spark: The Fortuné Akakpo Affair

It all started with a viral video showing the iconic Fortuné Akakpo being approached on the street, visibly torn between embarrassment and gratitude from his fans. Shortly after, the influencer Apoutchou National posted a video of himself providing material and financial assistance to the actor, whose plight moved the internet.

For Bienvenue Koffi, this moment was the trigger for a necessary public statement:

"Fortuné is an icon. Seeing him like that in the street was both pleasant and deeply embarrassing."

An alarming observation: "We can't make a living from what we do."

The actress denounces a vast gulf between the prestige of the screen and the reality of the paychecks. She directly points the finger at the producers ' responsibility and the inadequacy of the salaries.

1. Ridiculous income: Bienvenue Koffi revealed that he received only 20,000 FCFA per episode for the cult series "Faut pas fâcher" .
2. Charges against the artist: The actress was supposed to finance her own outfits, makeup and travel expenses from this sum.
3. The illusion of success: "Outside, we are stars, but do you know our realities?", she asks, denouncing a system where only producers seem to get rich.

A neglected sector

Beyond private contracts, it is the absence of a state structure that is being targeted. The picture painted by the actress is bleak:

1. Lack of social protection: No health insurance for artists.
2. Institutional inertia: Projects and letters submitted to ministries remain unanswered.
3. Public hypocrisy: She laments that internet users multiply "RIP" messages upon the death of an artist, but are reluctant to pay a 5,000 FCFA ticket to support them while they are alive.

Towards structural reform?

The case of Fortuné Akakpo is just the tip of the iceberg. Many actors, out of shame, prefer to remain silent. For Bienvenue Koffi, the fleeting indignation on social media must be transformed into genuine reform .

1. Revaluation of fees.
2. Fair employment contracts.
3. Establishment of a dedicated social security system.

The issue is now clear: Ivory Coast must decide whether it continues to celebrate its icons only on screen, or whether it is ready to guarantee them dignity "off screen".