Property developers

A professional (individual or company) who designs, finances and delivers new housing developments, from finding the land to handing over the homes. They coordinate more than 20 trades and professions: surveyors, architects, bankers, builders, craftspeople.

They take on the financial risk by investing before the homes are sold. Their activity is regulated by the Construction and Housing Code.

See also: agrement-mclu · capc · cnpc-ci

Every property developer in Côte d'Ivoire must be licensed by the ministry in charge of Construction (currently the MULCV, formerly the MCLU). The application includes administrative documents, references for past projects, proof of financial capacity and a guarantee of 2,000,000 FCFA (from a bank, or through professional liability insurance).

The list of licensed developers is public on construction.gouv.ci. Operating without a licence is illegal. Always check before paying anything: in March 2024 the MCLU warned of a growing number of fake developers.

See also: capc · cnpc-ci · faux-promoteur

A professional body bringing together 16 developers with long experience and solid references. Professionals in the sector recommend it as the first selection criterion.

The golden rule: buy from a CAPC member where possible, to reduce the risk.

See also: cnpc-ci · agrement-mclu

The trade body representing all licensed developers and builders in Côte d'Ivoire. It is the MCLU's counterpart in negotiations for the sector (social housing, tax incentives).

Its official launch in March 2024 marked a step forward in the professional organisation of the sector.

See also: capc · agrement-mclu

One of the major players in the sector, founded in 1990. It has built around 20,000 homes across the various communes (municipalities) of Abidjan.

An example of an established developer in the Ivorian market, showing the profession’s impact on urban development.

See also: pplse · logement-social · capc

Homes built under the Programme de Production de Logements Sociaux et Économiques (PPLSE, the social and affordable housing programme). Prices are generally below 15 million FCFA. Developers benefit from tax exemptions (more than 100 billion FCFA granted).

42,000 homes built on the main sites: Bingerville (40 ha), Yopougon (20 ha), Grand-Bassam (80 ha), Songon (439 ha).

See also: pplse · pelaf · conalog

A scheme that lets you live in a home and pay for it gradually over 15 years, until you own it. It was introduced by the MCLU to make home ownership more accessible.

Some developers also offer the diaspora interest-free instalment plans over 36 to 60 months.

See also: pplse · option-diaspora

Works to prepare a plot before construction: connection to water (SODECI), electricity (CIE), roads, sewerage. The developer carries them out before handing over the plots or homes.

The PELAF plans to secure and service more than 2,000 hectares of national land reserves.

See also: pelaf

The final ownership document issued in the buyer’s name, separate from the “global” land title held by the developer for the whole development. You are only the legal owner once the individual title has been issued in your name.

Typical timescale: 6 to 18 months after handover, depending on the developer.

See also: vefa · livre-foncier · acd · titre-global-promoteur

The developer must provide a financial guarantee of at least 2,000,000 FCFA from a bank or through professional liability insurance. This guarantee protects buyers if the developer fails.

Check it in the contract before paying anything.

See also: agrement-mclu · vefa

Created by MCLU order No. 0030 of 24 June 2024. The official body responsible for allocating social housing transparently. Its existence is a step forward against informal allocations.

For social housing programmes, check that the allocation goes through the CONALOG.

See also: pplse · logement-social

Operators without an MCLU licence who market fake housing developments on social media. The MCLU issued an official warning in March 2024. The Cosopimac affair (2012-2017): 4,500 victims, 17 billion FCFA lost.

Check the official list on construction.gouv.ci before making any commitment. A firm LNA-CI rule: no developer is listed without a verified MCLU licence number.

See also: agrement-mclu · cosopimac

Some developers keep a single “global” land title for the whole development and are slow to issue individual titles. The buyer is only the legal owner under the individual title in their own name.

Even in an MCLU-approved development, you are not the owner until the individual title has been issued. Before signing, have the contract set a deadline for issuing the individual title.

See also: titre-foncier-individuel · vefa

A landmark case: around 4,500 Ivorians, living in the country and in the diaspora, paid 17 billion FCFA to a succession of developers between 2012 and 2017 for a project that was never built.

It is the example to cite to explain why checking the MCLU licence is non-negotiable.

See also: faux-promoteur · agrement-mclu · capc

The Ivorian government's flagship programme, aiming for 500,000 homes by 2030. It includes public-private partnerships (PPPs), the clearing of customary rights in exchange for land (purge par dation), and rent-to-own over 15 years.

More than 100 billion FCFA in tax exemptions granted to participating developers.

See also: pelaf · conalog · logement-social

A programme to secure and service more than 2,000 hectares of national land reserves and make them available to developers.

Active sites: Ahoué-Alépé (53 ha secured), Attiégouakro (26 ha), Yamoussoukro (54 ha), Adiaké (58 ha).

See also: pplse · viabilisation

Several developers offer specific terms for the diaspora: buying with no initial deposit, paying 100% over 36 months, a dedicated French-speaking adviser, video calls. SIIPAF, for example, offers “Diaspora” packages with payment over 36 months from abroad.

A notarised power of attorney (drawn up in your country of residence and legalised at the consulate) lets you sign from a distance.

See also: vefa · location-vente