Ivory Coast Overview

GENERAL

Official name of the state

Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Capital

Yamoussoukro.
Seat of government: Abidjan.

Geography

As a country located in Africa according to historyaah, Côte d’Ivoire (“Ivory Coast”) borders Liberia and Guinea in the west, Mali and Burkina Faso in the north and Ghana in the east. The country has a 600 km long coastline on the Gulf of Guinea. The southern and western parts of the country are forested with a hilly landscape that rises towards the savannah plains in the north and the mountainous western border. The three rivers Sassandra, Bandama and Comoé flow south into the Atlantic, where they form numerous lagoons.

Government

Presidential republic since 1960. New constitution from 2000. Parliament (Assemblée Nationale) with 225 members. Independent since 1960 (former French colony).

Head of state

Alassane Quattara, since December 2010.

Head of government

Amadou Gon Coulibaly, since January 2017.

Electricity

220 V, 50 Hz.

Time zone

Greenwich Mean Time: CET -1

Ivory Coast Overview

MONEY

Currency

1 CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc * = 100 Centimes. Currency abbreviation: CFA Fr, XOF (ISO code). Banknotes are in circulation to the value of 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 CFA Fr. There are coins in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 CFA Fr.

Note: [*] The CFA Franc (XOF) is issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest BCEAO, State Bank of West African States) and used by the 8 members of the African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The CFA Franc (XAF) issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC, State Bank of the Central African States) is not legal tender in Côte d’Ivoire. The CFA Franc is pegged to the Euro.

Credit cards

American Express and MasterCard are often accepted, Visa and Diners Club only to a limited extent, but there is a high rate of abuse and errors. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs

ec / Maestro card / Sparcard

Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Signs at the ATMs indicate which cards are accepted. There are plenty of ATMs in Abidjan, but they do not always work properly and can be empty at the end of the month.

Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.

Bank opening times

Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., sometimes also Sat 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Foreign exchange regulations

Unlimited import of the local currency, the export of which is only permitted up to CHF 10,000 CFA. The import of foreign currencies is unrestricted and must be declared from a sum equivalent to CHF 1,000,000, exporting them only up to CHF 500,000 or the amount declared, minus the exchange amounts.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport as well as in banks and hotels.

LANGUAGE

Overview

The official language is French. Over 60 colloquial languages such as Attie, Agni, Baoulé, Bété, Diula, Senoufo and Yacouba are used. The colloquial language Diula is most common.

 

DUTY-FREE SHOPPING

Overview

The following articles can be imported into Côte d’Ivoire duty-free (people aged 15 and over):

200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco or 100 cigarillos;
1 bottle of spirits;
1 bottle of wine;
500 ml eau de toilette and 250 ml perfume.

ECONOMY

Business etiquette

French is the main language of business. In larger companies, management speaks e.g. T. also English. Interpreting and translation services are available. Punctuality is expected. Business cards should be given to every person you talk to. Invitations to restaurants or hotels are common. Safari suit and summer dress are appropriate.

Business hours:
Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Economy

Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Côte d’Ivoire (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
6 Avenue Joseph Anoma, BP 1399, CI-Abidjan 01
Tel: 20 33 16 00.
Internet: www.chamco-ci.org

Business contacts

Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Côte d’Ivoire (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
6 Avenue Joseph Anoma, BP 1399, CI-Abidjan 01
Tel: 20 33 16 00.
Internet: www.chamco-ci.org

COMMUNICATION

Phone

International calls can only be made in the larger cities, but international direct dialing there. The national telephone company is called Côte d’Ivoire Telecom (Internet: http://www.citelecom.ci). Phone cards for card telephones can be purchased for 25,000 CFA Fr or 50,000 CFA Fr.

Cellphone

GSM 900 cellular network. Operators include Orange Cote d’Ivoire (Internet: www.orange.ci), CORA de COMSTAR (Internet: www.wwirelessintl.com) and Loteny Telecom (Internet: www.telcel.net).

Internet

Main providers include Aviso, Africa On Line and Globeaccess. Internet cafes can be found in Abidjan.

Post Office

Airmail to Europe takes about two weeks. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-6 p.m. The national postal system is supported by international courier services.

Radio

Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.

SHOP

Overview

In the markets it is often only possible to obtain reasonable prices after tough action. Popular souvenirs are wax prints, Kente clothing from Ghana, indigo fabric, woven scarves, wooden statues and masks, pearl necklaces, pottery and basketry. In Le Cava Crafts Center in Abidjan, there are over 60 shops. Shop opening times: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-5.30 p.m.

NIGHTLIFE

Introduction

There are night clubs in the larger cities. Abidjan offers the widest range. There are theaters, casinos, discos and bars, and in some hotels traditional entertainment.

CULINARY

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

Hotels and restaurants in the larger cities are expensive, but you can generally choose between luxury, mid-range and cheaper accommodations. Categories: 1 to 5 stars. In Abidjan there are various hotels of international standard. It is always advisable to book early. Information from the Ivoirien du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie Office (see addresses).

CULTURE

Religion

35-40% Muslims, 20-30% Christians, 25-40% natural religions.

Social rules of conduct

The ethnic and linguistic diversity of Côte d’Ivoire is astonishing, there are around 60 ethnic groups (including Akar, Kron, Nzima, Hone, Voltaic and Malinke), and some groups inhabit entire regions. With a few exceptions, every resident of the country has his or her local mother tongue, tradition, family and society. French is taught in schools and spoken almost exclusively in business and government circles. The French influence is felt to some extent in all walks of life. You shake hands in greeting. Casual clothing is accepted everywhere, but swimwear belongs on the beach or swimming pool. Ties are only expected on official occasions. Small gifts and souvenirs from the home of the traveler are welcome. Smoking is allowed everywhere. In some areas, snakes are sacred. Tipping: Hotels and restaurants charge service charges, if not, a tip of around 15% is usual.

CLIMATE

Best travel time

Four seasons in the south: dry season December – April; Rainy season May – July. The dry season from August to September is followed by a rainy season from October to November. In the drier north the climate is more extreme: rainy season May – October, dry season November – April.

COUNTRY DATA

Area code +225 Area (square km) 322 462 Population 23 295 302 Population density (per square km) 72 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 185