Reality Brief: Abidjan

Current alerts

No official alerts recorded for this region.

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• A biometric visa is compulsory. Apply at an Ivorian consulate or online (e-visa on the official Snedai website): after registration and payment, the visa is issued on arrival at Abidjan airport. Apply at least 10 working days before departure. The visa is valid for 1 to 3 months.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Côte d'IvoireGuide: Entry and residence

• Before boarding, you must have the pre-enrolment receipt and the e-visa approval certificate.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Côte d'IvoireGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months (after arrival according to France and the UK, after exit according to Canada).

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Côte d'IvoireGuide: Entry and residence

• Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory; the certificate is checked systematically on arrival.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, healthGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: entry requirementsCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Côte d'IvoireGuide: Entry and residence

• Malaria is present. Protect against bites and take preventive treatment prescribed by a doctor; any fever requires prompt medical attention.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Côte d'IvoireGuide: Health

• Ambulance 185, fire 180, police 110, 111 or 170. 110 is also the free number for reporting roadside harassment in Abidjan.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Côte d'IvoireFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contactsGuide: Health

• The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro. Cards are accepted in large hotels and some shops; ATMs in Abidjan and major cities. Carry cash elsewhere.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: Côte d'IvoireGuide: Money and banking

• The rest of the country is under heightened vigilance: secure accommodation, main roads, a convoy of at least two vehicles by day, no driving at night.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

Living in Abidjan

• In Abidjan, do not go alone at night to Adjamé, Yopougon, Abobo or the Gonzagueville area (Port-Bouët). Armed burglaries and street hold-ups occur, though they are not common. Be careful when leaving a maquis, restaurant, bank or ATM.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Use taxi apps or pre-booked private taxis.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Demonstrations take place, especially around elections; police may use tear gas and internet access may be restricted. Stay away.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The sea and lagoons are dangerous and rarely supervised; drownings are frequent, even among strong swimmers.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• JNIM and other al-Qaida-linked groups are mainly active near the northern borders, but an attack could happen anywhere, including Abidjan.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Before buying land or property, have the documents checked by a notary or lawyer: the risk of document fraud is high.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful informationGuide: Housing

• Do not photograph people without consent, or markets, crowds or official buildings; photos near sensitive installations are prohibited.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful informationGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Daily life and local laws

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (519), clinics (141), hospitals (55). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (209), supermarkets (295). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (504), cash machines (8), currency exchange (31), money transfer (1461). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (287). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (48). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Tip

  A coworking space as a fallback

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): coworking (3). Useful for remote work when the connection or power fails at home.

• Tip

  Consulates in the city

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): consulates (5). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.

• Emergency numbers

  Ambulance 185, fire 180, police 110, 111 or 170.

  185180110111170

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Côte d'IvoireFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• SMU Abidjan (SAMU de Cocody)

  Emergency medical service.

  +225 27 22 44 53 53185

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• CHU de Cocody

  University hospital.

  +225 27 22 48 10 00

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• CHU de Treichville

  University hospital.

  +225 27 21 24 91 22+225 27 21 24 91 55

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• CHU de Yopougon

  University hospital.

  +225 27 23 46 64 54

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• PISAM (Polyclinique internationale Sainte-Marie)

  Approved polyclinic, Cocody.

  +225 27 22 48 31 31

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Polyclinique Avicennes

  Polyclinic approved by the Caisse des Français de l'étranger.

  +225 27 21 21 13 00

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Polyclinique Hôtel Dieu

  Polyclinic approved by the Caisse des Français de l'étranger.

  +225 27 21 25 79 19+225 27 21 25 79 20

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Préfecture de police d'Abidjan (commissariat central)

  Police.

  +225 27 20 21 00 22+225 27 20 22 42 27

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Embassy of France in Côte d'Ivoire

  Passport: France

  French embassy and consulate general in Abidjan (also covers Liberia). Consular agencies in Bouaké and San-Pédro.

  17, rue Lecoeur, 17 BP 175, Abidjan+225 27 20 20 74 00

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, entry and residenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026