The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, has officially reopened its land borders that were closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure, which started on March 22, 2020, has now been lifted, allowing movement to and from neighboring countries.

Effective from February 15, 2023, land travel has resumed as usual. While air and sea borders were also closed initially, they reopened after a few months to facilitate essential exports, such as cocoa and coffee.

The decision to reopen the land borders was announced by government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly following a cabinet meeting.

Current Travel Guidelines for Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast is open to visitors of all nationalities, allowing entry through any air, land, or sea border crossing.

Entry Requirements

To enter the country, passengers must possess the appropriate travel documents. Here are the key points to note:

1. Visa Requirement: Citizens of most countries are required to have a valid Ivory Coast visa for their visit.
   
   
2. Online Visa Application: Visitors in need of a visa can easily request their travel permit online by filling out a simple form. The process is finalized upon arrival at Port Bouet Airport.
   
   
3. Land Border Entry: Those planning to enter the Ivory Coast via land borders must obtain a traditional visa from an embassy or consulate.

For detailed information regarding the visa application process, travelers are advised to review the Ivory Coast's visa policy.

Neighboring Countries Bordering the Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast shares borders with the following countries:

• Burkina Faso
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Liberia
• Mali

Neighboring Citizens:

Many citizens from these neighboring countries reside in the Ivory Coast. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of land borders prevented numerous individuals from returning to their home countries.

Impact on Travel:

The closure of official land borders resulted in people resorting to alternative routes, utilizing back roads and engaging in illegal methods to exit the country.

Government's Response:

Addressing this concern, the government has urged travelers to resume using authorized crossings. Amadou Coulibaly, a government official, made the following statement:

"We have now taken control of clandestine transit routes and we encourage all travelers to utilize the official routes going forward."

The Impact of Border Closures on Ivory Coast's Transport Sector

The transport sector in the Ivory Coast has suffered significant consequences due to the prolonged closure of borders, resulting in a loss of employment opportunities for numerous drivers and staff.

Daouda Bamba, Secretary General of Ucrao

Daouda Bamba, the Secretary General of the Union of West African drivers (Ucrao), expressed his concerns regarding the aftermath of the border closures: "We must focus on rebuilding the workforce in lorry depots as many drivers found themselves unemployed."

Rebuilding the Workforce

With the recent reopening of land borders throughout the country, it is anticipated that approximately 24,000 individuals will be rehired to revive the transport industry and restore its operations.