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City guide

Abidjan

Ivory Coast

Abidjan has a rare advantage for an expat posting: everything already happens in French. No language barrier to clear, a large and welcoming French community, and well-regarded French schools. The real things to plan for lie elsewhere: healthcare (vaccines, malaria) and organising daily life in a booming tropical city.

Currency
CFA franc (XOF)
Language
French (official language)
Time vs Paris
1 to 2h behind, depending on the season
Emergencies
170 (police), 185 (fire)

FIAFE network

The Accueil for French-speaking families

In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.

Abidjan Accueil

Since 1982

Since 1982, Abidjan Accueil makes sure no newcomer feels alone: over 200 member families of many nationalities, volunteers who pick up the phone before you even leave, and hundreds of meetups, workshops and outings every year.

Where to meet them

Personalised welcome by phone and WhatsApp, then meetups throughout the year (a venue agreed together). Contact via the website and social media.

Visit the association's website Email the association See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Personalised phone welcome, possible even before you arrive
  • Get to know neighbourhoods, schools, healthcare and daily tips
  • A very active professional club to restart a career project
  • Coffee meetups, afterworks and cultural outings all year round

Other support networks

Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.

  • UFE

    UFE Côte d'Ivoire

    The Ivorian chapter of the Union des Français de l'étranger (network founded in 1927) supports the French in Abidjan on jobs, healthcare, schooling and mutual aid, and keeps the community life going.

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Côte d'Ivoire

    Active since 1980, the Ivorian section of Français du monde - ADFE defends the rights of the French in Côte d'Ivoire, supports them with consular paperwork and strengthens ties with the local community.

    Visit the website

The French business network

The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.

CCI France International

CCI France Côte d'Ivoire (CCIFCI)

The largest French-speaking business community in Côte d'Ivoire, based in Abidjan: networking events, an online job board and hands-on support to find a job locally or help a spouse in their search.

Visit the website CCI country page

AEFE network

Accredited French schools

Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.

💰 Compare school fees

Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr

Tutoring and private lessons

To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.

  • Axiom Academic

    Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.

    Discover Axiom Academic

  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

Abidjan offers one of the finest French school networks in West Africa: two large homologated lycées, both from nursery to the final year, following the French curriculum. Places are sought-after, so start the registration as soon as the move firms up.

Good to know

  • The Lycée international Jean-Mermoz, in Cocody, teaches nearly 2,400 pupils, run by the Mission laïque française in partnership with the AEFE.
  • The Lycée français Blaise-Pascal, across two campuses (Marcory and Cocody), welcomes around 2,600 pupils from nursery to final year.
  • Both schools are homologated by the French Ministry of Education: curriculum continuity is assured when you return.
  • Register early: numbers are high and waiting lists common, especially in nursery and middle school.

Children's healthcare

Healthcare is the area to prepare most carefully before leaving, without alarm. A few vaccines and a well-kept anti-malaria routine, and family life runs smoothly.

Good to know

  • Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Côte d'Ivoire: keep the whole family's records up to date.
  • Malaria is present year-round: prophylaxis, mosquito nets and repellents are part of daily life, especially for children.
  • Abidjan has good private clinics and French-speaking paediatricians; arrange international health insurance.
  • Put together a small travel pharmacy and identify your go-to clinic as soon as you arrive.

French-speaking community

This is probably the easiest part of Abidjan: the French community is one of the largest in Africa, and everyone speaks French. You quickly feel surrounded, and good tips spread fast.

Good to know

  • Abidjan Accueil (FIAFE network) has supported families since 1982, with a very dynamic professional club.
  • UFE Côte d'Ivoire and Français du monde - ADFE round out the associative network and mutual aid.
  • Almost all French residents in the country live in the Abidjan area: community life is dense.
  • Facebook groups of francophone mums in Abidjan overflow with tips on housing, schools and nannies.

Family outings and events

Between the Ébrié Lagoon, the coastal beaches and a lively cultural scene, weekends fill up fast. Abidjan reveals itself as a family, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

Good to know

  • The beaches of Grand-Bassam and Assinie, to the east, are the family weekend spot.
  • The Banco National Park, right in the city, offers tropical rainforest a stone's throw from the Plateau.
  • Boat trips on the Ébrié Lagoon, craft markets and zoo visits fill the children's outings.
  • Abidjan Accueil and the associations run meetups, workshops and friendly events all year round.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

Coming soon: the full Abidjan guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Abidjan page first.

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