"Nigerian Resident in Côte d'Ivoire: "Abidjan functions like a smooth-running Lagos" - Terse Perspective from a Digital Nomad"
In a surprising turn of events, a Nigerian named Ruz has decided to call Cote d'Ivoire his home. Ruz, who previously maintained strong connections with Lagos, made the move due to a job offer.
Cote d'Ivoire, known for its recent strides in welcoming travelers after ending a civil war less than a decade ago, offers a unique blend of modern infrastructure and a thriving tech scene. Abidjan, the economic capital, is often likened to a cleaner, less congested version of Lagos, with good roads, minimal traffic, and even clean water.
Ruz rates Cote d'Ivoire's tech scene a 5, while he rates Lagos' a 6. However, the country's digital landscape is not lacking. Glovo, a popular food delivery service, and ride-hailing services like Uber and Yango, are common in Cote d'Ivoire. Mobile money is also used extensively for utility payments such as electricity, water, and internet bills.
Mobile money services in Cote d'Ivoire are provided by organisations such as MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, and Moov Money; Ecobank's mobile money app allows users to send and receive money, pay bills, and check balances securely through an easy-to-use interface.
For those arriving in Cote d'Ivoire, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny International airport is significantly better equipped than Murtala Mohammed Airport in Nigeria. SIM cards can be purchased at the airport without any major privacy concerns, making communication easy upon arrival.
The immigration personnel are straightforward, and their scanners work efficiently, further easing the arrival process. Cabs and a metro system called Sotra are the primary means of transportation within the country.
Ruz's top five apps in Cote d'Ivoire are Netflix, YouTube, Google Translate, Twitter, and Duolingo, reflecting a global digital lifestyle. Interestingly, Ruz is open to permanently moving from Lagos to Cote d'Ivoire.
Data costs in Cote d'Ivoire are reasonable, with 1200MB costing CFA700 (₦4000) ($6.6) for 7 days on Orange, 4GB for a month on MTN for CFA10000 (₦6000) ($10), and 15GB for 30 days costing CFA20000 (₦12000) ($33) on MTN.
As Ruz continues to explore and adapt to his new home, it's clear that Cote d'Ivoire offers a compelling blend of modern infrastructure, a growing tech scene, and a welcoming environment for those seeking new opportunities.
