by Jérémy Goillot. February 2023
"Babi est doux"
is a common expression in Ivory Coast, used by people of all ages and backgrounds as a way to show affection and appreciation for others.
In Abidjan people use it to describe a loved one or a delicious meal. Just by hearing it you can feel the warm and welcoming culture of Ivory Coast and the importance of kindness and sweetness in daily life.
I spent most of October 2022 exploring Ivory Coast. I felt truly welcomed by local entrepreneurs, the expression “Babi est doux” really made sense.
In this report
I am sharing with you :
👉 my experience of the Ivorian culture and living in Abidjan (see at the bottom of the report some tips to make your stay in Ivory Coast as wonderful as mine)
👉 my insight about Abidjan’s startup scene.
Before reading the report, here is my Linkedin Post about Abidjan and my Youtube Video (both went viral 💥 and helped me get recommendations from Ivorians to make my trip epic!)
Quick facts about Ivory Coast
Distinctive Tech Initiatives and Key players
💰 Saviu Ventures.
- venture capital firm based in Abidjan launched by Benoit Delestre. They are deploying their Fund II.
- Their mission statement made me laugh: “VC in Africa and not just in Kenya and Nigeria…”. That summarized it all!
- They focus on early-stage startups in Francophone West Africa. Saviu Ventures has made investments in a variety of sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, and logistics. Some of their notable investments include SudPay, an electronic payment platform, and Afrikrea, an online marketplace for African fashion and crafts.
🖌️ mStudio.
- A startup studio, mobile-only, dedicated to transforming the informal sector in French-speaking West African countries, with a focus on empowering women and youth.
- They believe that this sector needs to be structured to accommodate future generations, so we recruit the best entrepreneurs to launch startups that address its needs.
- They fund and support 4 startups per year with the help of experts.
- Founded by Cedric Mangaud (a serial entrepreneur) and Leslie Ossete (former early employee of a few unicorn on the continent).
👨⚖️ Startup Act.
- The government passed the Startup Act in 2019, with the intent to boost the growth of the country's startup ecosystem.
- The act provides various incentives, including tax breaks and subsidies, for startups in the country. It also simplifies the process of starting a business by reducing the amount of time and paperwork required to register a company.
- The act promotes the creation of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces to support startups.
- Overall it did attract more investors and entrepreneurs to the country, as well as encourage the growth of local startups.
Startup Scene
The startup ecosystem in Ivory Coast is still relatively new - the political stability of the country was impacted by the war in 2011.
Online platform for transporting goods in West Africa. It connects verified drivers and their trucks with customers.
Direct-to-consumer used car company that provides new, innovative solutions to ensure transactions are transparent and secure.
Digital Payment adoption in Emerging Countries, by building an interoperable payment infrastructure and financial services
Mobile money payment hub that federates mobile money payment methods in Africa.
Digital insurance platform
Providing African businesses with a digital account to make payments.
Provider of financial applications that allow customers to use their cards with zero fees in a range of services.
A platform to discover, buy, and sell African fashion, arts, and crafts.
Subscription video on demand (SVOD) that provides millions of fans with unlimited access to Afro-American and African movies.
Pioneering company in the fine-tech sector in Africa.
Founder’s Interview - Régis Bamba, Djamo
Abidjan Tips
- Safety: 🟢 Not any issue, very safe city and country. Just be smart about it!
- How to move around town: You can find taxi everywhere, I was using Yandex (the Russian Uber)- but I had issue to pay online with my credit card.
- Where to stay?
- Le Plateau: This is the old town where most of the headquarters are located, making it an ideal location for expats who are working in Abidjan. The area has excellent bars and restaurants, making it a great place to relax after work.
- Cocody: Cocody is a residential area that is popular among expatriates. It has a variety of accommodation options, including apartments, villas, and houses. The area is known for its excellent schools and international community, making it a great place for families.
- Marcory: Marcory is a vibrant district that is popular among expatriates. It is located near the airport and has a variety of accommodation options. The area has a mix of residential and commercial properties, making it an excellent place to live and work.
- Cost voice & data: 5 Go → 10,000 to 15,000 CFA
- Cost of Airbnb for 1 month: Abidjan is less expensive than Dakar you can find nice flat on Airbnb for 1 month costs about 1200$ - 1500$ for a nice 1 bedroom, good location.
- Cost of a meal: €8-€15.
- Cost of a beer: 500-1000 CFA Francs (about 0.76-1.52 Euros). The most famous beer in Abidjan is probably Flag.
- Favorite restaurants:
- 🚣🏿 Domaine Bini Lagune: An ecotourism site located in the Aghien lagoon of Abidjan, a small corner of paradise that offers lush and invigorating vegetation, ideal for recreational activities.
- 🌴 Kafolo Lagoon: An Ecolodge Hotel Restaurant located on the edge of the lagoon in Jacqueville, offering a unique experience.
- 🦞 The Brunch of Maison D'Akoula: Every Sunday, buffet style in the beautiful setting of Maison D'Akoula located in Assinie, to the sounds of Afro, Amapiano and even Zouglou music.
- 🍾 Le Mandjaro: The Bar Lounge located on the rooftop of the Ivoire Trade Center offers cigar lovers a cozy, chic and classy atmosphere, with an extraordinary view of the lagoon.
- 🍽️ Le Bushman Café: A chic restaurant with an atypical decor where you can discover Ivorian gastronomy through revisited classics.
- 🎨 L'Apéro Coloré: A moment of relaxation where you can paint and have a drink at the unique rate of 10,000 CFA francs excluding consumption.
- Favorite coffee shops: MISSING
Others places to visit in Ivory Coast
- Assinie-Mafia, a coastal resort town known for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife. It's a popular destination for water sports like jet skiing and parasailing.
- Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Ivory Coast, with impressive landmarks like the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, one of the largest churches in the world.
- Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning colonial architecture and beautiful beaches. Don't miss the Musée National des Costumes for a glimpse into Ivorian culture.
- Comoe National Park, a wildlife reserve with diverse ecosystems, including forests, savannahs, and wetlands. Visitors can see elephants, crocodiles, and hippos in their natural habitat.
- San-Pédro, located on the southwestern coast of Ivory Coast, facing the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its beautiful beaches, fishing industry, and as a departure point for exploring the nearby Tai National Park
Final Thoughts
Abidjan's startup ecosystem is a new and thriving community that is well-positioned for growth and success. Despite being relatively small, the startups in Abidjan are well-funded and led by solid teams with big ambitions. What's most impressive about Abidjan, however, is the positivity and hope that exudes from its people. This sense of optimism and determination is infectious, and it's easy to see why Abidjan is quickly becoming one of the most exciting cities in West Africa. When compared to other regional tech hubs like Accra or Dakar, Abidjan stands out for its modernity and the sense of opportunity that permeates the city. As this ecosystem continues to evolve, it's clear that Abidjan will be at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship in the years to come.
Don’t hesitate to come and visit, you will always welcome
Akwaba 🇨🇮
Want to read more?
A lot of people are talking about the potential of the country and the startup scene, I recommend you to have a look to those articles.
Guide d’accueil
