🖐 In this blog post we’ll share all law links and known rules about recreational and commercial drone use in Côte d'Ivoire or the Ivory Coast (Abidjan). Give a 👍 at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in The Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire does not seem to differentiate commercial & recreational drone use. However, both are subject to restrictions & a strict code of conduct. Additionally, depending on your drone's weight & your destination within the country, different rules will apply.
✅ In Côte d'Ivoire, drone laws falls under the National Authority of Civil Aviation (ANAC) & they can be contacted anytime via:
Email: anacsvat@anac.ci
Phone: (+225) 21 58 69 00 or (+225) 21 58 69 01
Can I bring my drone to Côte d'Ivoire?
🚨 Whilst it is not clear if you can import your own drone, local authorities ask for every drone to be registered meaning you might loose yours upon arrival if not registered by then. We advise you to ask directly anacsvat@anac.ci here as this is a case by case scenario. If you have further information, please feel free to share within the Forum for all to know.
🚨 Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
Where can I fly my drone in Côte d'Ivoire?
✅ We did not find an official fly zone map for drones in Côte d'Ivoire "If you have more information about this, please share it in the Forum". Thankfully in the meantime, app.airmap.io has listed all flight zones in a convenient way organised in a 3 colour legend.
Côte d'Ivoire drone fly map
🚨 You should not fly above or near military installations & strategic infrastructure. Fly away from airports & any aerodromes or airports in the country. Do not fly over anyone and/or congested areas.
🚨 Do not fly across any borders to another neighbouring country.
🦅 National parks & reserves might be on a case by case permission & you might need to check directly with the local park or reserve authorities.
Recreational & Commercial Drone use in Côte d'Ivoire.
🚨 To fly your drone in Côte d'Ivoire you will need to register your drone, hold a license delivered by the ANAC and to be living or domiciled in the country so authorities can deliver you a permission to fly.
Additionally, you must fly:
with the written permission of the private land owner or the public space manager you intend to take off from and land to (if different).
with the awareness of the nearest civil aviation authority.
with your registration number written on a nonflammable material and clearly visible on your drone (if your drone is too small, authorities might exempt you).
only during daytime an within sight at all times (you must see up to 5 km away).
at least 150 m below any clouds and 600 m horizontally away from them.
at a maximum altitude of 91 m & latitude of 300 m from you.
at least 50 m away from large crowds, people & respect individuals' privacy. You cannot film or record images of other people without their explicit agreement.
50 m away from vehicles in movement, buildings and animals.
after a full check of your drone's capacity of flying (make sure nothing is wrong on it).
away from urban areas including villages and small communities
a drone weighting maximum 25 kg
without carrying any dangerous or explosive goods.
at a maximum speed of 161 km/h "You should be fine here.." 👌
only one drone at a time & with an insurance covering your activities.
at least 10 km away from airports (any airport, seaplane base or area where aircraft or helicopter take off & land) & give way to all other type of aircraft.
away from areas where its use could interfere with police or first responders.
avoiding sensitive areas including government or military facilities.
🚨 Thermal image-ring is only allowed in a few scenarios:
scientific research and studies.
cartography over land and water.
agriculture surveillance.
forest management.
other research evolving around fauna and flora.
How to obtain my drone license in Côte d'Ivoire?
🚨 Only persons in a good physical shape and with a no criminality records will be accepted to undertake the pilot's training qualifications. You have to be over 18 years old, speak, read and understand French.
The process is unclear from here other than you will need to contact anacsvat@anac.ci to apply. If you have further information about this, please share within The Forum so we can update this post in turn.
We understand that:
you will have to pass a theoretical exam.
that there is a cost involve to obtain your license.
✅ Once obtained, your license will be valid for 5 years and this is how it looks like:
How to register my drone in Côte d'Ivoire?
🚨 To register a drone in Côte d'Ivoire you will need to be either a Côte d'Ivoire institution, corporation, citizen or resident 🌏 For foreigners, you will need the back up of a local to register your drone on your behalf.
You will need to communicate:
your drone models technical details including its serial number
your full name and address
the reasons you will fly this drone
The process is unclear from here other than you will need to contact anacsvat@anac.ci to apply. If you have further information about this, please share within The Forum so we can update this post in turn.
✅ You can register a drone before buying it and obtain the registration number to stick to your drone upon purchase enabling you fly immediately. This is how it looks like:
What do I risk for flying a drone illegally in Côte d'ivoire?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. Local authorities have however specified that offences could lead to criminal prosecutions.
Once you've got everything in order, you can start flying above Côte d'Ivoire's awesome landscapes and create videos like this one:
✅ Please leave a comment or update the Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in the Côte d'Ivoire! Have fun and safe flight!
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone regulations.
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