Ivory Coast: Operating a Business

Setting Up a Company

Private Limited Company (SARL): Number of partners: One minimum, with no maximum in the number of partners.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of XOF 1 million
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Public Limited Company (SA): Number of partners: Minimum of 1 shareholder and 3 directors.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of XOF 10 million
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
General Partnership (SNC): Number of partners: One minimum, with no maximum in the nomber of partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Limited Partnership (SCS): Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Two types of partners: silent partners and active partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required.
Shareholders and liability: Liability of active partners is unlimited. Liability of silent partners is limited to the amount contributed.

The Competent Organisation: Center for the Promotion of Investment in Côte d'Ivoire (CEPICI) (in French).

Setting Up a Company	Ivory Coast	Sub-Saharan Africa
Procedures (number)	4.0	7.5
Time (days)	6.0	21.3

Source: Doing Business.

Business Setup Procedures: Consult Doing Business Website, to find out information on the procedures to start a business in Ivory Coast.

	2018	2019	2020
Labour Force	7,822,369	8,047,578	8,148,084

Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database

Source: International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database

Legal Weekly Duration: 40 hours
Retirement Age: 55.
Working Contracts: There are two types of contract in Côte d'Ivoire.
The contract is fixed term when the term is specified in advance, with the agreement of both parties, or when a term is specified, i.e. a certain, future element whose advent terminates the contract. The Work Inspector must stamp the contract if the term is more than three months.
The work contract is open-ended when the term is not specified in advance.
Labour Laws: Consult Doing Business Website, to obtain a summary of the labor regulations that apply to local entreprises.

Minimum Wage: In 2019, the minimum wage was XOF 60,000 per month according to the ILO (latest available data).
Average Wage: According to Salaryexplorer.com, in 2021, the average gross monthly wage is XOF 337,000 per month.
Social Contributions: Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: Between 15.45% and 18.45% of salaries including 7.7% for the pension plan, 5.75% for family benefits and from 2% to 5% for workplace accident.
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: 6.30% of the gross wage for the pension plan.

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners: Unions have little influence in Côte d'Ivoire.
Labour Unions: General Union of Workers in Côte d'Ivoire (in French)
Unionisation Rate: 42% of which 87% in the public sector.
Labour Regulation Bodies: Ministry of Employment, the Civil Service and Reform.

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