Vavoua Department is a department of Haut-Sassandra Region in Sassandra-Marahoué District, Ivory Coast. In 2021, its population was 477,154 and its seat is the settlement of Vavoua. The sub-prefectures of the department are Bazra-Nattis, Dananon, Dania, Kétro-Bassam, Séitifla, and Vavoua.

Economy

Local industries include cocoa, cotton growing, and logging.

History

Vavoua Department was created in 1988 as a first-level subdivision via a split-off from Daloa Department. In 1997, regions were introduced as new first-level subdivisions of Ivory Coast; as a result, all departments were converted into second-level subdivisions. Vavoua Department was included in Haut-Sassandra Region. In 2011, districts were introduced as new first-level subdivisions of Ivory Coast. At the same time, regions were reorganised and became second-level subdivisions and all departments were converted into third-level subdivisions. At this time, Vavoua Department remained part of the retained Haut-Sassandra Region in the new Sassandra-Marahoué District. Vavoua International School, a Christian missionary boarding school run by WEC International, was situated in the department, adjacent to the small village of Bouitafla, until the Second Ivorian Civil War forced its closing.