Cote d’Ivoire - Business Travel Cote d’Ivoire - Business Travel
Business Customs
French is the official language of Côte d’Ivoire. Business correspondence, catalogues, and advertising materials prepared in French are essential to be readily understood by potential buyers. Business cards or "cartes de visite" are widely used. Members of the expatriate community and those who have received their schooling abroad frequently use academic titles and degrees. U.S. businesspeople ordinarily use their firm's name and have their title translated into French. As a rule, business customs in Côte d’Ivoire are similar to but perhaps more formal than customs in the United States. Ivoirian managers in large commercial enterprises tend to follow a Western business dress code comparable to that of any large U.S. city. Tropical-weight suits and clothing are appropriate throughout the year and an umbrella is essential during the April to July and October to November rainy seasons. Some businesses close during the month of August for vacation, and high-level officials generally take a break. Additionally, some businesses and shops close for lunch from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Banks are open until 4:00 PM on weekdays.Travel Advisory
Specific Information on Côte d'Ivoire: (when the page opens, click on the map to select the country)Visa Requirements
As of February 15, 2009, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire requires U.S. citizens to have a valid Ivoirian visa for entry into Côte d’Ivoire, as well as a passport with more than six months of remaining validity. Americans should be aware that some major airlines and travel agents continue to misadvise travelers due to out-of-date information. U.S. Citizens of the traveling to Côte d’Ivoire should check with the nearest Ivoirian Embassy or Consulate for details regarding the latest visa procedures and fees. Please note that visas are now available at the airport if travelers have completed all the necessary pre-enrollment procedures and have printed an e-visa receipt prior to departure. For information regarding documents to enter Côte d‘Ivoire, see the following website.U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States can read more about U.S. visa application procedures at the following links:
State Department Visa Website
U.S. Embassy, Abidjan
Currency
Côte d'Ivoire is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which uses the Franc CFA, a convertible currency but one that is not easily exchanged outside the WAEMU region.The WAEMU has unified foreign exchange regulations. Under these regulations, there are no restrictions for transfers within the community, and designated commercial banks are able to approve routine foreign exchange transactions inside the community. The transfer abroad of the proceeds of liquidation of foreign direct investments no longer requires prior government approval.
Telecommunications/Electronics
There are approximately 289,108 telephone subscribers in Côte d‘Ivoire, most located in metropolitan Abidjan. Côte d'Ivoire Telecom (http://www.citelecom.ci/), the former state-owned company, was bought by France Telecom in 1997 and saw its legal monopoly on fixed-line operations end in 2004. Côte d'Ivoire Telecom services include mobile telephone through Orange (http://www.orange.ci/), and switched networks for large data communications applications. Other service providers include MTN (http://www.mtn.ci/) and MOOV (www.moov.com/en/).Transportation
Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan is Côte d‘Ivoire’s main airport. In terms of passenger and freight volume, the airport is one of the largest in the region. International airlines providing service to Abidjan include: Air France, Kenya Airways, Brussels Airlines, Middle East Airlines, ASKY, Senegal Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Côte d’Ivoire, Emirates, Royal Air Maroc, Mauritania Airways, Air Burkina, Air Algeria, Tunis Air and CEIBA, Corsair, Turkish Airlines, Egypt Air, and South African Airways. Aéroport International d‘Abidjan (AERIA), a private company, manages the Abidjan airport. Other cities in Côte d’Ivoire with commercial domestic flights are Bouaké, Korhogo, Man, Odienné and San Pedro, which are serviced by Air Côte d’Ivoire.Language
French is the official language of Côte d’Ivoire. Business correspondence catalogues and advertising materials prepared in French are essential and readily understood by potential buyers. English is a second (or third) language for some people; however, do not assume that English is well understood. Translation services are available if required and can cost approximately $300-500 per day.Health
World Health Organization BookletTravelers are reminded that they must have a yellow World Health Organization booklet bearing a valid stamp for yellow fever inoculation or risk being denied entry into Côte d'Ivoire until an inoculation can be administered. Appropriate malaria prophylaxis is also strongly recommended. For more information on health-related travel issues in Côte d'Ivoire, visit: www.travax.com Business visitors to Côte d’Ivoire find the climate hot and humid. It is advisable to take precautions to avoid excessive fluid loss and dehydration from perspiration. Increased intake of non-alcoholic beverages is advised, as well as wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing. Excessive sun exposure should be avoided. Côte d’Ivoire is less than five degrees from the equator, and the sun is very intense. Sunburn will occur rapidly. Always use sun block with UVA and UVB protection (minimum SPF 30) when visiting the beach. Beaches near Abidjan can be dangerous because of treacherous surf, riptides and undertows. Pools at the large hotels are filtered, cleaned regularly, and are normally safe to swim in.
Water and ice at the major hotels (Hotel Ivoire, Hotel Pullman, Hotel Tiama, Novotel, and Golf Hotel, etc.) are considered safe for consumption since these hotels have their own water purification systems. Water and ice served in other establishments should be avoided. Freezing water into ice cubes is not sufficient to kill amoeba and giardia parasites. Bottled water (Awa and Olgane are the most popular locally bottled brands) is widely available and safe to drink. Uncooked vegetables and salads may be eaten if they have been soaked in a dilute solution of bleach (one tablespoon in a gallon of water) or potassium permanganate for 15 minutes. Meat should always be thoroughly cooked. Cooked fresh fish and shrimp are generally safe. Pasteurized milk and milk products from sealed cartons or bottles are safe to consume, as are imported cheeses, butter, cream, and ice cream that has been adequately stored.
There is a high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in Côte d’Ivoire. HIV prevalence among people in the 15-49 age range is estimated to be approximately 4-5 percent. Secondary infections, such as tuberculosis, are on the rise. Tuberculosis skin tests are suggested after long stays in Côte d‘Ivoire. There are many “polycliniques” in Abidjan, including the Farah clinic in Marcory, which is located across the bridge from the Embassy and is frequently used by official Americans in country. The largest private hospital is Polyclinique Internationale de Sainte Anne Marie (PISAM). PISAM is located between the downtown district (Plateau) and the Hotel Ivoire in Cocody. It has a 24-hour emergency room, a five-bed intensive care unit, a CT scanner, and six sterile operating rooms. PISAM has a large staff of medical specialists, most of whom have had some medical training in Western Europe or North America. Most medical professionals at these facilities speak little or no English. Unfortunately, while there are ambulances that do eventually respond to medical emergencies, the quality of pre-hospital emergency care is poor and response can be hindered by traffic jams.
Local pharmacies are well stocked with medications manufactured primarily in Europe. Prices are generally cheaper than in the United States. However, supplies sometime vary, and counterfeits are pervasive. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to bring a good supply of any needed medications.
Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
| Date | English Name |
| January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| Variable Christian | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Labor Day (Ivoirian) |
| Variable Christian | Ascension |
| Variable Christian | White Monday |
| August 7 | Independence Day |
| August 15 | Assumption |
| November 1 | All Saints Day |
| November 15 | National Peace Day |
| December 25 | Christmas |
| Variable Islamic | Prophet’s Birthday |
| Variable Islamic | Revelation of the Qur’an |
| Variable Islamic | End of Ramadan |
| Variable Islamic | Feast of the Sacrifice |
Time in Côte d’Ivoire is GMT + 0, which is five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time from November to March and four hours ahead the rest of the year. Côte d’Ivoire does not observe daylight savings time. Businesses are normally open from 9 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. Business establishments and the government are normally closed on public holidays in Côte d‘Ivoire, though retail outlets and restaurants are often open. The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan is closed on some of the Ivoirian holidays listed above. Additionally, it is closed on the following U.S. (Federal) holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day (U.S.), Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. For more information, see:
https://ci.usembassy.gov/holiday-calendar/
Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings
Free entry is permitted for apparel and personal effects that are for personal or household use by the traveler and are not for sale, and of instruments and tools for professional use. No customs or entry duty is required for visitors carrying portable computers and laptops and cellular telephones for their own use. Cellular telephones work under the GSM 900 standard. Users of GSM cellular telephones only need a connection to the existing local network, which can be done inexpensively with prepaid cellular cards. U.S. cellular telephones without international roaming agreements will not work in Côte d'Ivoire. It is advisable to check with your cell phone service provider and either Orange (http://www.orange.ci), MTN (http://www.mtn.ci/) or MOOV (http://www. moov.com/), regarding roaming possibilities and charges. All other goods, including tobacco and alcoholic beverages, whether imported for personal use or sale, including goods intended for residents of Côte d’Ivoire, are subject to duty.Travelers deciding to import any vehicle (including trailers or cycles) or other goods intended for their use, convenience or comfort, but not for consumption, must deposit at the time and place of importation a sum equal to the duty that would be imposed. In July 2018, the government imposed limits on the age of vehicles imported into Côte d’Ivoire. Simultaneously, a claim for temporary exemption should be presented. The vehicle or goods must then be exported at the end of the stipulated period. These conditions also apply to articles imported for exhibition or demonstration and subsequent re-export. If the prescribed conditions are not met, the visitor will be liable for the full duty of the vehicle or goods imported. A guarantee may be made by an authorized organization, however, in which case no deposit is required. The organization thereby assumes the liability for the duty if the vehicle or goods are not re-exported within the prescribed period.
Travel Related Web Resources
The Department of State provides information on travel to all countries, including Côte d'Ivoire:http://travel.state.gov
U.S. Embassy in Abidjan website: http://ci.usembassy.gov/