Côte d'Ivoire Country Report

Cote d’Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, is a developing country in West Africa. The country has made significant progress over the past few years, markedly improving the law and order situation and enjoying sustained stability. Amid improved peace prospects, Cote d'Ivoire has gradually regained its position as a regional powerhouse. Increased public and private investment in infrastructure, investment reforms to attract foreign capital as well as the lifting of previously-imposed sanctions by the international community have led to the country having one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, although it remains subject to fluctuations in the price of cocoa, its largest export. However, a number of ethnopolitical issues at the root of past violence have yet to be comprehensively resolved.

Exposure to criminal activity is the most likely threat to visitors; in Abidjan, this comes mostly in the form of opportunistic incidents such as petty theft in crowded areas. Outside of the commercial capital, armed bandits pose a threat on the country's highways, especially in the north and west of the country. Cote d'Ivoire has also faced a growing transnational terrorism threat in recent years amid a spill-over of extremist Islamist militant activity from Mali, and more recently, Burkina Faso. Abidjan's status as a regional hub and popularity with expatriates leaves it vulnerable to further attacks. Infrastructure is generally well-developed in Abidjan and southern coastal areas but is lacking in more central parts of the country.

Cote d’Ivoire’s security environment has improved markedly since the end of a second civil war in 2011, and there are no indications that the country will slide back into conflict in the short-to-medium term. The country is also facing an increased threat from international terrorism due to the spillover of extremist Islamist militant activity from Mali and Burkina Faso.

Violent crime remains prevalent in Abidjan’s densely-populated suburbs, although opportunistic, non-violent acts are typically the main threats to expatriates and foreign travelers in the government and commercial districts of the city. Outside of the commercial capital, armed banditry is a concern along roadways and in rural parts of the country. Civil and labor unrest occurs regularly in Cote d’Ivoire, typically driven by discontent over inadequate service delivery and labor-related grievances.

There are no safety concerns over air travel.

Driving standards and road conditions in Côte d’Ivoire are poor, although they are improving in Abidjan where the road infrastructure is being upgraded. There is a high rate of fatal road accidents.

The port of Abidjan is improving its infrastructure to become more efficient.

Areas around the commercial capital Abidjan possess relatively good telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile data networks, mobile phone coverage and internet access.

The country is considered an attractive target for cyberattacks. Its defenses against such an attack are thought to be weak.

Cote d’Ivoire is not susceptible to destructive seismic activity or storm systems. The main environmental risks stem from localized flooding during the rainy seasons from May to July and September to November. Heavy rain during these periods can disrupt transport and commercial activity and render some roads impassable.

The presence of landmines from the country’s two civil wars poses a limited threat amid significant efforts to clear contaminated areas since the end of the conflict. However, areas around military and former rebel bases in northern Cote d’Ivoire are more susceptible to the presence of such objects rather than the capital, Yamoussoukro, or Abidjan, where most business travel is likely to be undertaken.

The most commonly recommended non-routine vaccinations for travel to Cote d’Ivoire are hepatitis A, typhoid, meningococcus, yellow fever, and rabies for travelers spending extended time outdoors. A yellow fever vaccine is required for all travelers entering the country greater than one year of age. Several insect-borne diseases are endemic in the country, with malaria in particular being a major public health concern. Medical facilities outside of Abidjan are limited and generally inadequate.

Cote d’Ivoire’s peace prospects have improved considerably since the end of the second Ivorian conflict in 2011. This has been evidenced by the gradual lifting of sanctions that had been imposed on the country during the 2000s by the international community. The current regime of Alassane Ouattara has, however, been lambasted by human rights groups for its perceived one-sided crackdown on members of the former regime and ignoring of abuses committed by its own allies, although the country’s improved security and economic environments have to some extent tempered wider criticism from Cote d’Ivoire’s international partners.

Presidential elections were held on October 31, 2020. Incumbent President Ouattara was reelected for a third controversial term in office.