Overview

Situated in West Africa on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire is bordered to the north by Mali and Burkina Faso, to the northwest by Guinea, to the southwest by Liberia and to the east by Côte d’Ivoire.

The capital since 1983 is Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan remains the de facto and economic capital.

It is also the world’s largest cocoa producer. The country is home to a diverse culture and economic endowments.

Côte d’Ivoire has a typically tropical climate thanks to its proximity to the equator and low elevations – the entire country lies below 1,000m (3300ft). Daytime temperatures are high throughout the year, approaching or surpassing 30°C (86°F) on most days, and humidity is also very high, especially along the coast. Temperatures tend to drop to around 20°C (68°F) at night, more noticeably in the relatively dry north than in the humid south.

There are two rainy seasons: April to July and September to October, though climate change impacts have come to change the typical seasons in recent years. Rainfall is highest in the south, near Abidjan and bordering towns, with some areas receiving more than 2,000mm each year, but the drier north more typically receives about 800mm annually.

Official Language: French

 

Recommended clothing

Light and loose is the way to go in this humid tropical climate. Bring light trousers or skirts made of a natural fabric such as cotton, combined with a stash of cotton T-shirts. Ivorians are relatively relaxed about dress codes, but women should keep their shoulders covered and wear a skirt below the knees in the predominantly Muslim north. One sweater or sweatshirt should be adequate, since night-time temperatures are seldom chilly. As for footwear, a good pair of walking shoes with solid ankle support is a must, but you will also want sandals or thongs. If you forget anything, do not stress: there are numerous clothing shops and shopping malls in Abidjan, and having new clothes made from local fabrics is quick and affordable.

For the Africa Investment Forum events, the dress code is business attire.

Currency and exchange

The West African CFA franc (XOF) is the unit of currency of Côte d’Ivoire and the only current legal tender. Currently, one US dollar converts into around 675 CFA francs. The USD and other major convertible currencies can be freely exchanged at banks, currency exchange offices (bureaux de change) and major hotels.

 

Telecommunications

National and international telecommunications and internet services are available in most hotels, restaurants, residences and public offices in Abidjan through fixed and mobile networks, broadband and fiber optic systems.

There are three mobile phone providers in Côte d’Ivoire, all of which support GSM of up to 4G LTE. The operators are: Orange, MTN, and Moov. All operators provide both prepaid and postpaid options. Customers can choose contract or prepaid cards that are sold through authorized distributors and agents and are also available in shopping centers. 

 

Electricity/Voltage

You can use your electric devices in Côte d’Ivoire, if the standard voltage in your country is between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). In Côte d’Ivoire, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you may need a voltage converter in Côte d’Ivoire if your equipment does not support both types. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter. Bring plug adaptors as Côte d’Ivoire uses European standard plugs.

 

Visas

All visitors to Côte d’Ivoire must possess a valid passport and a valid visa/entry permit. Nationals of ECOWAS member states and other countries with which the Government of Côte d’Ivoire has specific bilateral agreements are exempted.

 

Visa Exemptions

Nationals of ECOWAS member states and some other African countries are exempted from obtaining a visa before entering Côte d’Ivoire. Citizens from African Union member states who are not ECOWAS nationals may obtain a visa on arrival after paying the required fees. Similarly, holders of diplomatic/service passports of selected countries, persons in direct airside transit, as well as holders of official passports of some specialized agencies listed in the visa regime of Côte d’Ivoire are exempt from obtaining a visa.

Visa on Arrival

The Côte d’Ivoire Immigration Service has introduced this visa policy for visitors/business people who travel at short notice from countries where Côte d’Ivoire has no mission or consulate. The policy authorizes visas to be granted on arrival at the airport or other entry points, subject to the satisfaction of specific immigration requirements.

 

Note: The only official website recognized by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for the submission of an e-visa application is SNEDAI.

https://snedai.com/e-visa/

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Health protocol for the Africa Investment Forum 2022 Market Days

Côte d’Ivoire has lifted the majority of Covid-19-related domestic measures and travel restrictions as of March 28, citing a decline in the number of infections recorded.

Note: To participate in the 2022 Africa Investment Forum Market Days, participants must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. All delegates must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, and Sinovac vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) to attend the Market Days event. All attendees must present proof of vaccination, in either digital or hard copy format, in order to access the Forum venue. Registered participants will be provided with a unique bracelet to use for the duration of the Forum.

Domestic Measures

The wearing of facemasks is no longer required outdoors, but attendees of private indoor events must wear masks and adhere to handwashing and other protocols, as instructed by the event host. Churches, mosques, conferences, workshops, private parties and events, cinemas, theatres, sporting events, political gatherings, and funerals may resume at full capacity; however, participants must be fully vaccinated.

 

International Travel Restrictions

Fully vaccinated travelers can enter without restriction, while unvaccinated travelers must present a negative PCR test result not older than 48 hours and will be vaccinated on arrival. The country has also opened its land and sea borders to passenger traffic.

By definition, a fully vaccinated person is someone who has taken both first and second doses of the following shots: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Sputnik V, along with a booster shot within six months after the second dose was administered. A single dose of Johnson & Johnson plus booster is also accepted as full vaccination.

 

Yellow Fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required on arrival from all foreign travelers nine months of age and older entering Côte d’Ivoire.

Customs requirements

The Government of Côte d’Ivoire and Bank protocol officials will facilitate customs formalities for members of delegations participating in the Africa Investment Forum. Special arrangements will be made to ease customs formalities in accordance with national legislation.

It is strictly forbidden to bring prohibited substances into Côte d’Ivoire, including drugs, morphine, opium, cannabis, etc.

Firearms are prohibited. Any visitor wishing to bring a weapon of any kind into the country, including sporting weapons, must obtain a firearm-carrying permit. Dangerous goods are strictly forbidden from being brought into or exported from the country.

Health Facilities

• AfDB’s Medical Centre is accessible during the hours of the meeting.
• Numbers of the Bank’s doctors on duty: +225 05 75 75 05 05 / +225 05 75 75 09 56
• In case of need, the following health facilities have been identified by the Local Organizing Committee, to provide assistance to participants and delegates.

Public medical facilities

• CHU-Treichville: +225 01 42 35 33 63
• CHU-Cocody: +225 01 42 35 29 54
• CHU-Angré: +225 27 22 49 64 00

Institut de Cardiologie d’Abidjan: +225 27 21 25 92 54

Private medical facilities

Polyclinique Sainte Anne Marie: +225 07 07 20 53 35

Groupe Médical du Plateau: +225 07 47 22 22 21

Polyclinique Hôtel Dieu: +225 27 21 25 79 20

Polyclinique Farah: +225 07 47 11 11 11

Polyclinique de l’Indenié / NovaCardio: +225 27 20 30 91 00 / +225 07 77 70 78 18

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

For any medical concerns, please contact the Medicis or SAMU teams, which are stationed at the venue:

Medicis :

• Dedicated contact: +225 07 59 83 83 32
• Hotline: +225 07 07 11 14 29
• SAMU : +225 27 22 44 11 40

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