Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Ivory Coast Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Ivory Coast Property Pack
This guide covers everything you need to know about running an Airbnb in Ivory Coast in 2026, including current regulations, realistic income expectations, and market competition.
We constantly update this blog post with the latest data on short-term rental performance, nightly prices, and occupancy rates across Abidjan and other key areas.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Ivory Coast.
Insights
- Air conditioning is practically mandatory for Airbnb success in Ivory Coast, with 98% of Abidjan listings offering it, making properties without A/C virtually unbookable.
- The gap between top-performing and average hosts in Abidjan is stark: top 10% properties achieve 58% occupancy while the median sits at just 37%, showing how much execution matters.
- Marcory's Zone 4 neighborhood delivers the highest annual revenue in Abidjan at around $7,100 per listing, nearly double the city average, thanks to its restaurant and nightlife scene.
- One-bedroom apartments dominate Ivory Coast's short-term rental market at 66% of listings, but two-bedroom units often generate better total revenue by attracting business teams and families.
- Ivory Coast has no "90-day cap" rules like Paris or London, making it one of the more flexible African markets for hosts who want to rent year-round without restrictions.
- The housing shortage in Abidjan, estimated at 600,000 units, keeps vacancy rates below 5% in premium locations and supports consistent rental demand for both short and long-term stays.
- Peak season for Airbnb in Abidjan runs from December through February and again in August, with some neighborhoods seeing revenue jump 50% or more during these months.
- Yopougon offers the lowest entry point for Airbnb hosts in Abidjan with an average daily rate of just $39, but annual revenue averages under $2,000, making it viable only for budget-conscious domestic travelers.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Ivory Coast in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is legally permitted in Ivory Coast and the government explicitly recognizes "meublé de tourisme" (furnished tourist rentals) as a legitimate accommodation category.
The main legal framework governing short-term rentals in Ivory Coast is the Code du Tourisme (Loi 2014-139), which was updated in 2023 and defines the rules for all tourism-related activities, including Airbnb-style rentals.
The most important condition hosts must understand is that all tourism activities in Ivory Coast require prior authorization from the Ministry of Tourism, which means you cannot legally operate without notifying the authorities.
Unlike heavily regulated cities in Europe or North America, Ivory Coast does not impose strict penalties like automatic fines or property seizures for informal hosting, but authorities are increasingly conducting inspections and classification exercises, so compliance is becoming more important over time.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Ivory Coast.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Ivory Coast.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Ivory Coast as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Ivory Coast does not impose any national minimum-stay requirements or maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnb hosts, which makes it significantly more flexible than cities like Paris, Amsterdam, or London.
These rules do not vary by property type or host residency status in Ivory Coast because the national framework simply does not include such restrictions for any category of residential rental, whether it's an apartment, villa, or room in your primary home.
Since there are no caps to track, hosts in Ivory Coast do not need to report rental nights to any government system or worry about exceeding annual limits.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Ivory Coast right now?
Ivory Coast does not have a "primary residence only" rule for short-term rentals, which means you can legally operate an Airbnb from a secondary home or investment property.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties commonly use their apartments or villas for short-term rentals in Abidjan, particularly in high-demand neighborhoods like Cocody, Marcory, and Plateau.
There are no additional permits specifically required for non-primary residence short-term rentals, though the same tourism authorization framework applies regardless of whether you live in the property or not.
The main practical difference between renting out a primary residence versus a secondary home in Ivory Coast is operational: if you live elsewhere, you will likely need a property manager or reliable local contact to handle check-ins, cleaning, and guest communication.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Ivory Coast
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Ivory Coast right now?
Ivory Coast's tourism framework does not limit the number of properties a single host can operate, so running multiple Airbnbs under one name is legally permissible.
There is no maximum number of properties one person or entity can list for short-term rental in Ivory Coast, unlike some European cities that cap multi-unit operators.
If you operate multiple listings, you should expect increased attention from tax authorities and potentially from tourism inspectors, though there are no additional licensing fees specifically tied to having more than one property.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Ivory Coast as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Ivory Coast requires tourism authorization from the Ministry of Tourism for anyone operating a "meublé de tourisme," though many hosts currently operate informally while the government gradually increases enforcement.
The process for obtaining tourism authorization involves submitting a request to the local tourism directorate, though timelines vary and the bureaucracy can move slowly, often taking several weeks to months.
Documents typically required include proof of property ownership or a lease, identification, and sometimes property photos or a description of the accommodation being offered.
Specific licensing fees are not widely published, but hosts should budget for administrative costs and potentially classification-related expenses as the government expands its oversight of tourist accommodations.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Ivory Coast as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Ivory Coast does not have neighborhood-specific bans or restricted zones that prohibit Airbnb-style short-term rentals in particular areas of Abidjan or other cities.
Unlike some global cities that designate residential-only zones where short-term rentals are forbidden, Ivory Coast's approach focuses more on ensuring tourism accommodations meet classification standards rather than blocking them geographically.
The closest thing to a "restricted zone" concept would be tourism development zones where specific planning rules might apply, but these do not function as Airbnb bans.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Ivory Coast compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Ivory Coast in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Ivory Coast (primarily Abidjan) is approximately 37,000 XOF ($62 USD / 57 EUR), while the median sits closer to 36,000 XOF ($60 USD / 55 EUR) for typical entire-place listings.
The typical nightly price range that covers roughly 80% of listings in Ivory Coast spans from 21,000 XOF to 51,000 XOF ($35 to $85 USD / 32 to 78 EUR), with most apartments and condos clustering in this band.
The single factor with the biggest impact on nightly pricing in Ivory Coast is neighborhood location, specifically whether your property sits in a premium business district like Plateau or Cocody versus a more residential area like Yopougon.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Ivory Coast.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices in Ivory Coast's main market (Abidjan) range from about 23,000 XOF ($39 USD / 36 EUR) in budget-friendly Yopougon to 68,000 XOF ($114 USD / 105 EUR) in the business hub of Plateau, representing nearly a 3x difference between the most affordable and most expensive areas.
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Ivory Coast are Le Plateau at 68,000 XOF ($114 USD / 105 EUR), Marcory (especially Zone 4) at 60,000 XOF ($101 USD / 93 EUR), and Cocody at 45,000 XOF ($76 USD / 70 EUR).
The neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Yopougon at 23,000 XOF ($39 USD / 36 EUR), Abobo at similar levels, and parts of Attécoubé around 45,000 XOF ($75 USD / 69 EUR), though these areas still attract domestic travelers and budget-conscious guests looking for longer stays.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Ivory Coast is approximately 37% for median performers, though the market-wide average reaches around 42%.
The realistic occupancy rate range that covers most listings in Ivory Coast spans from 29% for entry-level properties to 48% for well-performing ones, with top 10% properties achieving 58% or higher.
Ivory Coast's occupancy rates are comparable to other emerging African markets like Lagos and Accra, though slightly lower than major international tourist destinations due to the business-focused nature of Abidjan's demand.
The single factor with the biggest impact on achieving above-average occupancy in Ivory Coast is responsiveness and reliability, meaning fast message replies, accurate listings, and smooth check-in logistics that reassure guests unfamiliar with the market.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Ivory Coast is approximately 330,000 XOF ($550 USD / 505 EUR) for typical entire-place apartments, though this varies significantly by neighborhood and property quality.
The realistic monthly revenue range that covers roughly 80% of listings in Ivory Coast spans from 175,000 XOF ($290 USD / 265 EUR) for basic properties in less central areas to 750,000 XOF ($1,250 USD / 1,150 EUR) for well-positioned listings in prime neighborhoods like Cocody or Marcory.
Top Airbnb listings in Ivory Coast can achieve 850,000 to 1,500,000 XOF ($1,400 to $2,500 USD / 1,285 to 2,295 EUR) per month, particularly in Marcory's Zone 4 where annual revenues average $7,100. That works out to around $590 per month for typical performers, but top 10% properties in Marcory clear $2,480 monthly.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Ivory Coast.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical monthly revenue in Ivory Coast ranges from approximately 240,000 XOF ($400 USD / 370 EUR) during low season to 450,000 to 630,000 XOF ($750 to $1,050 USD / 690 to 965 EUR) during high season for a well-run listing in Abidjan.
Low season months for Airbnb in Ivory Coast include January (paradoxically, despite holiday travel) and periods like June and October when business travel slows, while high season typically runs from December through February and peaks again in August, aligning with both holiday travel and corporate activity.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly expenses for operating an Airbnb in Ivory Coast range from 90,000 XOF ($150 USD / 140 EUR) for a lean, self-managed apartment to 720,000 XOF ($1,200 USD / 1,100 EUR) for a villa with high utility costs and professional management.
The single expense category that typically represents the largest share of monthly costs in Ivory Coast is electricity for air conditioning, which can run 30,000 to 120,000 XOF ($50 to $200 USD / 46 to 185 EUR) depending on usage, making A/C the defining cost factor in Abidjan's tropical climate.
Hosts in Ivory Coast should typically expect to spend between 40% and 60% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with the lower end achievable for self-managed apartments and the higher end common for villas or properties with frequent turnovers.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Ivory Coast.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for an Airbnb in Ivory Coast ranges from 120,000 to 240,000 XOF ($200 to $400 USD / 185 to 370 EUR) for a typical listing, which translates to roughly 4,200 to 7,800 XOF ($7 to $13 USD / 6.50 to 12 EUR) profit per available night.
The realistic monthly net profit range that covers most listings in Ivory Coast spans from near break-even for poorly-positioned properties to 420,000 XOF ($700 USD / 645 EUR) for prime-zone operators in Plateau, Cocody, or Marcory who execute well.
Hosts in Ivory Coast typically achieve net profit margins between 30% and 50% of gross revenue, with the higher end possible for self-managed properties with moderate turnover.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Airbnb listing in Ivory Coast sits around 25% to 30%, meaning hosts need roughly 8 to 10 booked nights per month just to cover their operating costs before generating any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Ivory Coast, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Ivory Coast versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Ivory Coast as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Ivory Coast as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 4,150 active Airbnb listings in Ivory Coast, with the vast majority concentrated in Abidjan, making it the dominant short-term rental market in the country.
This number represents steady growth from previous years, with supply expanding as more property owners recognize the opportunity, though the market remains far less saturated than major global tourist destinations like Paris or Barcelona.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Ivory Coast as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Ivory Coast are Cocody (with over 900 active listings), Marcory (including Zone 4 with around 136 listings in a smaller geographic area), and Plateau (where listing density per guest segment is highest due to concentrated corporate demand).
These neighborhoods became saturated because they combine expat-friendly amenities, reliable security, consistent power infrastructure, and proximity to business centers, all factors that make guests willing to book and hosts willing to invest in properties there.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities for new hosts include Yopougon (only 29 active listings targeting budget travelers), Attécoubé, and emerging areas like Bingerville where new housing developments are creating supply but competition remains thin.
What local events spike demand in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events that spike Airbnb demand in Ivory Coast include major business conferences and forums in Abidjan (which hosts many regional corporate gatherings), the Festival MASA (African performing arts market), the Carnival of Bouaké in March, and year-end holiday travel from the diaspora.
During these peak events, hosts in Ivory Coast can typically see bookings increase by 30% to 50% and nightly rates rise by 20% to 40%, particularly in well-located neighborhoods like Cocody and Marcory that are close to event venues.
Hosts should typically adjust their pricing and availability at least 4 to 6 weeks before major events, updating calendar blocks and increasing rates as demand signals appear in booking requests and search traffic.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Ivory Coast (top 10%) achieve occupancy rates of 58% or higher, significantly outperforming the market.
Average hosts in Ivory Coast typically see occupancy around 37% (the median), while entry-level performers hover around 29%, meaning the gap between top and average hosts represents nearly 20 percentage points of additional bookings.
It typically takes a new host in Ivory Coast between 6 and 12 months to reach top-performer occupancy levels, assuming they invest in professional photos, respond quickly to inquiries, accumulate positive reviews, and ensure reliable amenities like air conditioning and stable Wi-Fi.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Ivory Coast.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Ivory Coast right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of listings in Ivory Coast is 30,000 to 48,000 XOF ($50 to $80 USD / 46 to 74 EUR), where most one and two-bedroom apartments compete directly with each other.
The most promising "white space" opportunities for new hosts in Ivory Coast exist at the premium-but-not-luxury tier of 51,000 to 66,000 XOF ($85 to $110 USD / 78 to 101 EUR), where guests want reliability and quality but the market has fewer excellent options, and in the 30+ day corporate stay segment where many listings allow long stays but few execute this well.
Property characteristics that would allow a new host to compete successfully in these underserved segments include reliable backup power, workspace setups for remote workers, flexible check-in logistics, and the ability to provide invoices for business travelers.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Ivory Coast right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Ivory Coast as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom apartments get the most consistent bookings in Ivory Coast because they match the dominant guest profile of solo business travelers and couples visiting Abidjan.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Ivory Coast shows one-bedroom units representing roughly 66% of all listings, two-bedroom units at about 24%, with studios and three-bedroom-plus properties making up the remainder.
One-bedroom properties perform best in Ivory Coast specifically because Abidjan's demand is heavily business-driven, with consultants, executives, and NGO workers often traveling alone and prioritizing functional space over extra bedrooms they won't use.
What property type performs best in Ivory Coast in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Ivory Coast is the entire-place apartment or condo with one to two bedrooms, which offers the optimal balance of guest appeal, operational simplicity, and consistent demand.
Occupancy rates across property types in Ivory Coast show apartments achieving the most reliable performance at 35% to 45% occupancy, while villas and houses can hit higher rates in premium leisure contexts but come with more variable demand and higher operating costs.
Apartments outperform other property types in Ivory Coast because they are easier to standardize (consistent amenities, predictable utilities), require less maintenance than standalone houses, and match the practical needs of business travelers who prioritize location and reliability over space.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Ivory Coast, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Tourism - Code du Tourisme (2023) | It's the government's official publication of Ivory Coast's tourism law, including all definitions and compliance rules. | We used it to define what "meublé de tourisme" means legally in Ivory Coast and to establish that tourism activities require prior authorization from the Ministry. |
| AfricanLII - Decree No. 2014-741 | It's a recognized legal repository that publishes full texts of national legislation and decrees across Africa. | We used it to ground the specific rules that apply to tourist accommodation establishments. We cross-checked it against the Code du Tourisme for consistency. |
| Côte d'Ivoire Tourisme - Operator Guidance | It's an official sector portal tied to Ivory Coast's tourism institutions that provides practical guidance for operators. | We used it to interpret how authorities describe the "meublé de tourisme" activity in practical terms. We used it to sanity-check how the legal framework is implemented. |
| Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) - Tax Guide | It's the national tax authority's own reference document summarizing all taxes and legal references in Ivory Coast. | We used it to frame what taxes apply to rental income and business activity. We used it to avoid relying on unofficial tax summaries when estimating costs. |
| AirDNA - Abidjan Market Overview | AirDNA is a widely used, methodologically transparent STR data provider used by institutional and professional investors globally. | We used it for baseline data on listing counts, occupancy, ADR, minimum-stay distribution, and amenity prevalence. We treated it as our market-wide anchor. |
| AirROI - Cocody Neighborhood Data | It's a structured STR analytics provider with neighborhood-level breakdowns and clear metric definitions. | We used it to quantify how performance differs by commune in Abidjan. We cross-checked its ranges against AirDNA's citywide averages to ensure accuracy. |
| AirROI - Le Plateau Neighborhood Data | It provides a business-district view that often behaves differently than residential areas due to corporate travel demand. | We used it to illustrate business-core pricing and seasonality. We cross-checked it against Abidjan-wide ADR to avoid overgeneralizing from one neighborhood. |
| AirROI - Marcory Neighborhood Data | It provides mid-to-high demand area data including Zone 4, which is common for STR guests seeking restaurants and nightlife. | We used it to represent central lifestyle demand and pricing typical of Marcory. We triangulated it with AirDNA's citywide metrics to keep estimates conservative. |
| AirROI - Yopougon Neighborhood Data | It provides budget-market data for one of Abidjan's largest residential communes, useful for understanding the lower price tier. | We used it to establish the floor for nightly rates and revenue in Abidjan. We used it to show how performance varies across income levels. |
| Airbnb Help Center - Rental Regulations | It's Airbnb's official guidance entry point and helps avoid misinformation about platform-side compliance expectations. | We used it to clarify what Airbnb generally expects hosts to do regarding local law compliance. We do not treat it as law, only as a platform compliance check. |
| WTTC - Côte d'Ivoire Economic Impact Report | WTTC is a globally recognized tourism economics publisher with consistent methodology across countries. | We used it to support demand context and explain why Abidjan and coastal leisure demand matters. We used it as a macro check alongside local STR data. |
| Ministry of Tourism - Inspection Article | It's an official ministry communication about enforcement and classification work in the tourism sector. | We used it to understand the direction of enforcement and inspections as of 2026. We used it to set regulatory risk expectations for hosts. |
| SGG - Journal Officiel Portal | It's the government body responsible for publishing official texts and their probative value in Ivory Coast. | We used it to frame what counts as official publication for legal certainty. We used it to avoid treating unofficial reposts as definitive when they conflict. |
| Côte d'Ivoire Data Portal - Tourism Datasets | It aggregates structured tourism datasets and is commonly used for public-sector data access in Africa. | We used it to triangulate tourism demand directionally when official PDFs were fragmented. We treated it as supporting context alongside primary sources. |
| The Africanvestor - Abidjan Rental Market | It provides localized real estate market analysis specifically focused on Ivory Coast and Abidjan investment opportunities. | We used it to validate short-term rental yield estimates and cross-check neighborhood performance data. We used it to ground our expense and profitability ranges. |
| iExplore - Ivory Coast Festivals Guide | It's a travel information provider that compiles cultural and event calendars for destinations worldwide. | We used it to identify major festivals and events that spike Airbnb demand. We cross-referenced with STR seasonality data to confirm event-driven patterns. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Ivory Coast. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.