Learn about barriers to market entry and local requirements, i.e., things to be aware of when entering the market for this country.
Last Published: 3/26/2019
U.S. business interest in Côte d’Ivoire - beyond the cocoa sector - has historically been limited, with Lebanese, French and European domination of the market.  American companies have generally had less familiarity with Côte d’Ivoire’s French-based legal, commercial, and financial systems.  Other longstanding barriers to U.S. business engagement include the French language, business practices, and technical standards.  While many Ivoirians are improving their English, overall English-language proficiency in Côte d’Ivoire remains limited, and in general companies looking to do business should select strong French speakers to lead their operations.  Other obstacles include:
  • Slow and/or opaque decisionmaking in the Ivoirian government;
  • Higher freight rates and longer transit times from the United States than from Europe;
  • Consolidated product packaging for the entire francophone region gives francophone businesses a cost advantage;
  • More favorable credit terms by European suppliers to local importers;
  • High customs clearance costs, added to uncertain customs clearance times for inexperienced importers;
  • Significant delays at the Port of Abidjan, generally during customs procedures.  Companies cite pressures to pay customs officials for “expediting” clearance. 
  • Uncertain legal protection due to irregular practices within the court system;
  • Limited Ivoirian purchasing power for U.S.-made consumer goods.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.