Côte d'Ivoire gained its independence from France in 1960. French is the official language, but the multiethnic population speaks more than sixty native dialects, of which Dioula is the most common. In 1983 the capital moved from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro, although Abidjan remains the country's commercial and administrative centre. 

Following a period of civil war between 2010 and 2011, elections were held in 2015 and 2020. Since 2021, Australia has contributed funds to the International Counter-Terrorism Academy in Côte d’Ivoire which aims to build a comprehensive and sustainable counterterrorism capability in Africa spanning the region’s military, police, judicial, and customs communities to interdict drug, human, and weapons smuggling activities.

Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Agriculture employs around two-thirds of the population. 

Côte d'Ivoire is a member of La Francophonie, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States. Australia's diplomatic representation to Côte d'Ivoire is from the High Commission in Accra, Ghana.

Economic and trade information

• Country Fact Sheet [PDF]

Travel information

• Before you travel, visit smartraveller.gov.au
  • Read the travel advice for Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Subscribe to updates
  • Get the right travel insurance
  • For how we can help Australians overseas, see the Consular services charter
• Australian Passports Office
• Visa information

Heads of Government

• Includes Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Foreign, Trade and Aid Ministers

Embassies and consulates

Australia

• The Australian High Commission in Ghana is responsible for Côte d'Ivoire