Safety and emergencies
Areas advised against, risks on the road and in town, scams and numbers to keep with you. Advice varies with the country that publishes it.
Areas advised against
Strongly advised against by France (update of 5 March 2026): the whole border area with Mali and Burkina Faso, northern Zanzan district, eastern Savanes district and Comoé national park (terrorism and kidnapping risk).
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safetyAdvised against except for essential travel: the Liberian border, especially Tabou, Taï and Grabo. The UK advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of this border (local militias).
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: warnings and insuranceThe UK advises against all travel within 40 km of the Burkina Faso and Mali borders, in northern Zanzan and Savanes and in Comoé park. Your insurance may not cover you.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: warnings and insuranceGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: regional risksThe 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.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safety
Terrorism and kidnapping
JNIM and other al-Qaida-linked groups are mainly active near the northern borders, but an attack could happen anywhere, including Abidjan.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and security
Crime
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.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and security
In town
Use taxi apps or pre-booked private taxis.
Practical adviceVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and securityDemonstrations take place, especially around elections; police may use tear gas and internet access may be restricted. Stay away.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and security
On the road
Private cars have been attacked by armed robbers on main roads in the west, by day and night. Drive with doors locked, windows shut and nothing visible.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and securityFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safety
Sea, climate and natural hazards
The sea and lagoons are dangerous and rarely supervised; drownings are frequent, even among strong swimmers.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safety
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Emergency numbers
Ambulance 185, fire 180, police 110, 111 or 170.
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
Préfecture de police d'Abidjan (commissariat central)
Police.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Embassy of France in Côte d'Ivoire
Passport: FranceFrench 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 00France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, entry and residenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Consular agency of France in Bouaké
Passport: FranceMobile for emergencies only.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Consular agency of France in San-Pédro
Passport: FranceMobile for emergencies only.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Côte d'Ivoire, safety · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: warnings and insurance · Source updated: May 29, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: regional risks · Source updated: May 29, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Côte d'Ivoire travel advice: safety and security · Source updated: May 29, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.