Architects
21 essential terms of the architecture profession in Côte d’Ivoire: OACI, OAA-CI, GUPC, risk classifications, sourcing materials, managing a project from the diaspora.
All the architects vocabulary
- OACI / CNOA-CI— Ordre des Architectes de Côte d'Ivoire (the architects' professional body)
The body that oversees and regulates the practice of architecture in Côte d'Ivoire. Every architect practising legally must be registered with it. It was established by Law No. 70-488 of 3 August 1970.
It works directly with the MCLU (the ministry in charge of construction). The official directory of licensed architects can be consulted on oarchitectes.ci.
See also: agrement-oaa-ci · mclu
- OAA-CI licence (agrément OAA-CI)— Registration number on the Order's register
The number the Order gives to each architect on its register, in the format “OAA-CI YYYY-XXXX”. “Every construction project must be drawn up by a licensed architect” (2019 Construction and Housing Code, art. 18). It can be checked publicly on oarchitectes.ci.
Architects working for public services are registered automatically but may not practise privately.
See also: oaci · permis-de-construire
- 1-in-176,000 ratio— How few architects there are in Côte d'Ivoire
With 215 licensed architects for around 27 million people, Côte d'Ivoire has one of the lowest ratios in West Africa. By comparison, France has 1 architect for roughly 3,500 people.
This scarcity explains why good practices are often fully booked and why lead times can be long.
- EAA— École d'Architecture d'Abidjan (Abidjan School of Architecture)
The first school of architecture in Côte d'Ivoire, opened in 2015 to address a structural shortage of professionals. It follows the LMD system (Licence-Master-Doctorat, the bachelor's-master's-doctorate structure).
The aim: gradually increase the number of licensed architects to keep pace with the construction sector, which grew by 26% a year between 2012 and 2022.
See also: ratio-architectes · oaci
- ARCHIBAT— International building trade fair of Côte d'Ivoire
A trade fair organised every 2 years by the CNOA-CI in Abidjan. The key event for the sector: more than 200 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors.
This is where partnerships are formed between architects, materials suppliers and clients. The 10th edition was held in 2025.
See also: oaci
- Architecte DPLG— Diplômé Par Le Gouvernement (French state-certified architect)
A French qualification equivalent to a master’s degree in architecture, still widely held by Ivorian architects trained in France. A DPLG architect registered with the OAA-CI is fully entitled to practise in Côte d’Ivoire.
Not to be confused with “building draughtsmen” or “construction technicians”, who are not allowed to sign permit applications.
See also: agrement-oaa-ci · permis-de-construire
- GUPC / GUPCCU— Guichet Unique du Permis de Construire et du Contrôle Urbain (one-stop shop for building permits and planning control)
Set up on 29 April 2016 and overhauled by decree in April 2025. It brings together in one place everyone involved in a building permit: CIE (electricity), SODECI (water), DDU (urban land directorate), sanitation, urban planning, the 13 town halls of the Abidjan District, and Civil Protection.
No recent official processing time has been published (the figure of 21 days that is often quoted dates from 2022). The architect is the person who knows this process.
See also: visa-ddu · certificat-urbanisme · permis-de-construire
- Visa DDU— Approval stamp from the Direction du Domaine Urbain (urban land directorate)
An approval issued by the Direction du Domaine Urbain that officially authenticates the applicant's title to the land (ACD or lettre d'attribution). It is the first document the GUPC checks before examining an application.
Without a visa DDU, the permit application is inadmissible.
See also: gupc · acd · lettre-attribution
- Certificat d'Urbanisme (CU)— Planning certificate: easements and planning rules that apply
A document issued by the GUPC setting out the planning rules that apply to the plot: maximum height, required setbacks, plot ratio, easements.
The architect needs it to design the project in line with local standards. It also reveals any public utility easements on the land.
See also: gupc · servitude · permis-de-construire
- Notice Sécurité Incendie— Fire safety statement, required for certain projects
A technical document required in the permit application for buildings open to the public or above certain height thresholds. Minimum cost: 160,000 FCFA per plot.
The architect is responsible for including it in the GUPC application and for making sure it complies with the standards of the Office National de la Protection Civile (national civil protection office).
See also: gupc · permis-de-construire
- Risk classification (R+)— Ranking projects by level of structural risk
Following building collapses in Abidjan, the MCLU introduced a classification by level of risk based on the number of storeys (R+2 means ground floor plus two storeys). R+2 and above: an architect AND a consulting engineer are compulsory. R+3 and above: more detailed technical documents.
Each risk level has its own permit application file. Whatever the size, the 2019 Construction and Housing Code requires a project to be drawn up by a licensed architect (art. 18).
See also: permis-de-construire · gupc · ingenieur-conseil
- Full architectural service (mission complète)— What an architect's job really covers in Côte d'Ivoire
In Côte d'Ivoire, an architect's job goes well beyond drawing plans. It typically includes: (1) APS/APD, the outline and detailed designs, (2) the GUPC permit file, (3) DCE, the tender process for contractors, (4) weekly site supervision with written reports,
(5) sourcing materials through partner suppliers, (6) handover of the works, with a signed report.
- Builder vs architect (maçon vs architecte)— A key distinction for the diaspora
Most buildings in Côte d'Ivoire are put up by experienced builders (maçons) without an architect, even though the 2019 Construction and Housing Code requires every project to be drawn up by a licensed architect (art. 18).
But for the diaspora building from a distance, a licensed architect is essential: they are the one trusted person able to handle paperwork, the building site and materials. A builder working without supervision may do “a good job”, or may disappear with the deposit.
See also: mission-complete · opc · seuil-120m2
- Remote project monitoring (suivi diaspora)— Managing a building site from a distance
Some architects specialise in working with clients based in Europe, Canada or the USA. Their service includes regular video calls, weekly photos and videos of the site, written reports at each stage, and a notarised power of attorney to sign documents.
FAZ Architecte (Paris/Abidjan) and Wizodia are examples of this approach.
See also: mission-complete · maitrise-ouvrage
- Bioclimatic / vernacular architecture— Design suited to Côte d'Ivoire's tropical climate
A design approach that takes account of Abidjan's hot, humid climate: building orientation, natural ventilation, sun shading, ventilated roofs. Some practices, such as DSY Architectes or Koffi & Diabaté, bring local vernacular techniques into their modern buildings.
It cuts air-conditioning costs over the long term.
See also: materiaux-locaux
- Counterfeit reinforcing steel (fer à béton contrefait)— A major risk in Côte d'Ivoire's building materials market
The Ivorian market for reinforcing steel is flooded with substandard products, directly responsible for building collapses in Abidjan. The welded mesh, reinforcing bars and rebar sold on the informal market do not meet tensile strength standards.
A licensed architect knows the certified suppliers and protects the client against this structural risk. A red flag for the diaspora: never buy materials yourself without the architect’s advice.
- Bernabé CI— A leading supplier of building materials
A French company established in Côte d'Ivoire since 1950, based on boulevard de Marseille (near Abidjan airport). A reference in the sector for supplies: cement, steel, concrete mixers, gravel, quérons. It delivers within the Abidjan area (a radius of about 50 km).
Architects often negotiate preferential prices through their partnerships.
See also: fer-beton-contrefait
- Local materials— Cheaper alternatives suited to Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire has local materials that cost less than imported ones: fired clay, compressed earth blocks (BTC), local gravel, tropical hardwoods. Used properly, these materials offer excellent thermal and acoustic performance suited to the climate.
Contemporary Ivorian architecture is gradually bringing them back, for durability and to save money.
See also: architecture-bioclimatique
- IDUFCI— Identifiant Unique du Foncier de Côte d'Ivoire (unique land parcel identifier)
A unique identification number given to every plot of land in Côte d'Ivoire, whatever its legal status. It lets surveyors, architects, notaries and banks check digitally that a plot exists and what its legal position is.
It is part of the gradual digitisation of land records in Côte d’Ivoire, and very useful for the diaspora checking from abroad.
See also: titre-foncier · acd · cadastre
- Compulsory use of an architect— What the Construction Code says (and the 120 m² threshold)
“Every construction project must be drawn up by a licensed architect” (2019 Construction and Housing Code, art. 18). The Code sets no floor-area threshold. Only homes that follow standard plans approved by the minister are exempt from a permit, with a prior declaration instead (arts. 17 and 22).
A threshold of 120 m² or 30 million FCFA is often quoted: we have found no trace of it in the texts in force. If in doubt, have the plans signed by an architect registered with the Order.
See also: agrement-oaa-ci · gupc · permis-de-construire
- Informal construction— The dominant reality of the Ivorian market
Most buildings in Côte d’Ivoire go up without a building permit or a licensed architect, even though a permit is required for any construction (2019 Construction and Housing Code, art. 12).
For the diaspora, building through the formal route (architect and permit) is the only protection against disputes, demolition by administrative order and resale problems. A building without a permit can be demolished by administrative order even if people live in it.
See also: permis-de-construire · gupc · seuil-120m2
- Consulting engineer (ingénieur-conseil)— Compulsory from R+2 upwards
A structural engineering professional (reinforced concrete, foundations, floors) who must be brought in for any building of R+2 (ground floor plus two storeys) or more. They work alongside the architect: the architect designs the space, the engineer ensures the structure is stable.
The CHANIE (Chambre des Ingénieurs de Conseils) brings together the licensed members in Côte d’Ivoire.
See also: classification-risque · gupc · decennale