Ivory Coast/ Côte d’Ivoire

Overall country Risk Rating: 

 

CC - A regulated state with high corruption and a medium frequency of crime risk against foreigners. The terrorism risk is medium. The workplace HSE risk is medium.The country scored 49/177 on the corruption perception index, with a score of 1.14 on corruption control.(Point estimates range from -2.5 to 2.5. Higher values correspond to better governance outcomes

 

 

Genvisec advises that all business travel should continue for most areas after appropriate security advice is taken.

 

Additional security measures should be taken for travel to the areas of the western regions of Dix-Huit Montagnes, Haut-Sassandra, Moyen-Cavally and Bas-Sassandra, in particular the area to the west of Duékoué up to the border with Liberia.

 

Security

 

The security situation in Abidjan can deteriorate at short notice. There have been reports of violence and shootings in Abidjan since August 2012. Foreigners have not been targeted.

 

Although the risk of a return to the levels of conflict experienced between December 2010 and May 2011 is low, you should constantly review your personal security arrangements and take professional security advice. Keep up to date with local developments through the local media and our warden network. Keep a stock of food and water, avoid all demonstrations and adopt a low profile, particularly at night.

 

Crime

 

There is a risk of crime in Abidjan, including violent crime, car-jackings, armed break-ins to private residences, hold-ups in the street, and stealing from cars. Weapons circulate freely. Such incidents are not common, but they do occur. Avoid using public transport, or walking around after dark.

 

There have been reports of westerners being robbed at gunpoint on the main road from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro. Most armed robberies occur at night though some incidences have happened during daytime. You should be vigilant and drive with doors locked.

 

There is a risk that demands will be made for bribes if you attempt to drive across the two bridges over the lagoon in Abidjan at night.

 

Many scam artists operate in West Africa. The scams come in many forms: romance and friendship, business ventures, work and employment opportunities, the facilitation of money, and can pose great financial risk to victims.  

 

Scam artists can assume the false identity of a foreign national (sometimes British) working and living in West Africa. The criminals then establish an on-line relationship with their victims which, in time, usually results in a request for money. In some instances the impostor will inform their foreign victim that they have been hospitalised or arrested and need money quickly. In other cases foreigners have come to West Africa to meet the person with whom they have been in contact only to be kidnapped and become the victim of financial extortion. If you receive a claim that an on-line associate whom you have never met is in difficulty in Côte d’Ivoire, be very wary before becoming involved in transferring any money.  

 

Treat with considerable caution any requests for funds, a job offer, a business venture or a face to face meeting from someone you have been in correspondence with over the internet who lives in West Africa.

 

Terrorism

There is a threat of retaliatory attacks in Côte d’Ivoire due to its participation in the 2012 intervention in Mali.

 

Local travel

 

The Genvisec advises against all but essential travel to the western regions of Dix-Huit Montagnes, Haut-Sassandra, Moyen-Cavally and Bas-Sassandra, in particular the area to the west of Duékoué up to the border with Liberia. Seek professional security advice before embarking on any travel to these areas. Take care if you intend to travel to any rural areas.

 

Roadblocks and checkpoints

 

There are permanent checkpoints in and around Abidjan. There are official and unofficial roadblocks and checkpoints on the major routes outside of Abidjan. Take great care and co-operate with those operating them.

 

Road travel

 

You should avoid road travel at night due to the poor condition of the roads and general insecurity. Grass or leaves strewn in the carriageway often means an accident or other hazard ahead. Many vehicles driving on rural roads will not have lights. 

 

Floods

 

The rainy season in Côte d’Ivoire is from May to November. Torrential rains can cause floods and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.

 

Air travel

 

The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union. You should check the list to see whether this will affect your travel.

 

Health

Contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. 

 

Medical treatment of a reasonable standard is available in Abidjan, but it can be expensive, and emergency facilities are limited to a few major hospitals. Medical facilities outside the major towns are often rudimentary. Serious medical treatment would require medical evacuation to Europe. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation

 

An outbreak of Ebola virus has been confirmed in south-eastern Guinea. If you travel to this region you should follow the health advice issued by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, maintain strict standards of hygiene and avoid eating bushmeat. There have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

For further details about this outbreak of Ebola, see the relevant info map.

 

Cases of meningitis have been detected in northern and central regions of Côte d’Ivoire. The affected districts are Boundiali, Bouna, Ferke, Korhogo, Seguela and Tengrela in the North and Bandama Valley region in the central part of the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international health agencies are supporting local authorities to control the spread of the disease.

 

Yellow fever, cholera, and measles have been reported in the Abidjan area since the start of 2011.

 

Falciparum malaria is endemic.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 180 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Local laws and customs

Religions have a strong influence on life in Côte d’Ivoire. You should respect local religious customs and traditions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not cause offence.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Côte d’Ivoire. 

 

Yellow Fever

 

You will need a certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever to enter Côte d’Ivoire. Travellers will usually be asked to produce the certificate on arrival and face having the vaccination on the spot, for a fee, if they cannot produce one.

 

Consular assistance

 

British Citizen

 

The British Embassy in Abidjan (Telephone: +225-22 44 26 69) can provide help only in an emergency.

 

Register your presence in Côte d’Ivoire with the British Embassy in Abidjan and if you are present in the country for some time establish contact with their warden network (contact details below).

 

Warden contact numbers:

 

22 41 57 94

 

09 50 70 08

 

22 40 25 12

 

07 01 27 09

 

20 21 14 11

 

08 52 09 02

 

23 45 77 56

 

07 07 57 63

 

21 35 48 13

 

07 76 96 89

 

22 44 26 29

 

American Citizen

 

If you are an American citizen and find yourself in an emergency situation you can contact the US Embassy 24 hours a day. 

 

For after hours emergencies, on weekends or on holidays, you can call (+225) 22 49 4450 and ask to speak to Duty Officer. To call from the U.S, please dial: 00 225 22494450

 

Please note: this phone number is NOT for visa inquiries. 

 

For emergency issues, during business hours, you can call (+225) 22 29 4594, Monday through Friday, 07:45 am to 16:30 pm. To call from the U.S, please dial: 00 225 22494594

 

Canadian Citizen

 

Embassy of Canada in Côte d’Ivoire

23 Noguès Avenue

Trade Centre Building, 6th and 7th floors

Plateau, Abidjan

 

Postal Address

01 B.P. 4104

Abidjan 01

Côte d’Ivoire

 

Telephone: (225) 20.30.07.00

Fax: (225) 20.30.07.20

Email: abdjn@international.gc.ca

 

Norwegian/Swedish/Danish/Finnish Citizens

 

Residents of Côte d’Ivoire going to Norway, Denmark, Sweden or Finland are kindly asked to contact the Danish Consulate in Abidjan for further information regarding case procedures.

 

Contact information:

 

MAERSK CI S.A 

01 Bp 6939 Abidjan 01 

Zone Portuaire, Blvd de Vridi (close to Unilever)

Abidjan - Côte D'Ivoire 

Phone: + 225 21 21 91 00 / 09 

Fax :     + 225 21 21 91 10

E-mail : ivolintopsec@maersk.com

Opening hours: Monday through Friday between 8.30 and 12.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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