Wave
Mobile money1% on transfers, free deposits and withdrawals
Landed in Côte d'Ivoire in 2020 and forced the whole industry to cut prices. The small kiosks bearing its penguin logo now form the country's densest branch network.
42 apps listed · 8 everyday use cases
Every app Ivorians actually use,
Every app Ivorians actually use,
in one place
From Wave's 1% fee to hailing a Yango on the streets of Abidjan and ordering from Jumia — one site that explains Côte d'Ivoire's mobile app ecosystem as it really is.
109.6MRegistered e-money accounts (2025)
33.3MAccounts active in 90 days
71,307bn2025 transaction value (FCFA)
38Ivorian institutions on PI-SPI
Data from BCEAO, ARTCI and published operator tariffs
TOP 10
The ten most used apps in Côte d'Ivoire
Ranked from operators' published data, App Store / Google Play charts for Côte d'Ivoire and local penetration. Reviewed monthly.
-
01
Wave
1% on transfers, free deposits and withdrawals — the clearest winner of the fee war
4.7 ★ 10M+Mobile money -
02
Orange Money
About 13.8 million active accounts and the country's largest cash-out network
4.2 ★ 10M+Mobile money -
03
MTN MoMo
0% on in-app deposits and withdrawals since August 2025, transfers capped at 4,500 FCFA
4.3 ★ 10M+Mobile money -
04
WhatsApp
Reaches 98.3% of young people — the national messaging tool, in cities and villages alike
4.5 ★ 5B+Social & messaging -
05
Yango
Rides, food and courier — one app covers all three
4.7 ★ 10M+Transport -
06
TikTok
74.1% of young people, skewing female and under-25
4.4 ★ 1B+Social & messaging -
07
Facebook
Reaches 94% of young people — the hub for local groups and second-hand trade
4.1 ★ 5B+Social & messaging -
08
Jumia
Online shopping paid straight from a mobile wallet, delivered home or to a pickup point
4.3 ★ 50M+Commerce & delivery -
09
Moov Money
About 2.9 million active accounts, cross-border transfers across several West African countries
4.0 ★ 1M+Mobile money -
10
Glovo
Restaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies delivered across the city in minutes
4.5 ★ 50M+Commerce & delivery
Mobile money
Account opening, transfers, withdrawals and bill payment — the base layer of the country's digital life.
Orange Money
Mobile moneyAbout 13.8 million active accounts, the country's largest cash-out network
The pioneer of Ivorian mobile money, launched in 2008. Its orange kiosks blanket cities and villages alike; an ID document is enough to open an account in minutes.
MTN MoMo
Mobile money0% on deposits and in-app withdrawals since August 2025
E-money wallet launched in 2009. For its 20th anniversary in Côte d'Ivoire, MTN announced in August 2025 that deposits and in-app withdrawals would be free. Pays CIE, SODECI and Canal+ bills.
Digital banking
Traditional banks and payment gateways handling salaries, business payouts and cross-border transfers.
NSIA Banque
Digital bankingIvorian banking group, combining branches with digital channels
Personal and business accounts in Côte d'Ivoire and several West African countries. Its app covers transfers, bill payment and account management, with bridges to mobile wallets.
SGBCI
Digital bankingSociété Générale's Ivorian subsidiary, strong with corporate clients
One of the country's largest banks. Its app covers balance checks, transfers, card management and loan applications, backed by a dense branch network.
Ecobank
Digital bankingPan-African group: cross-border transfers and multi-currency accounts
Operating in more than 30 African countries, it is widely used in Côte d'Ivoire for regional transfers. Ecobank is also among the first institutions certified on PI-SPI's Business APIs.
Transport
Three ride-hailing players coexist in Abidjan, each with its own pricing and coverage.
Yango
TransportRides, food delivery and courier in a single app
Yango took the lead in Abidjan on price and localisation. French interface for both riders and drivers, payable in cash or via mobile wallet.
Heetch
TransportFocused on night rides and low fares, popular with young users
A ride-hailing platform with roots between Abidjan and Paris. It attracts drivers with lower commissions; getting home from Cocody or Yopougon at night is its signature use case.
Uber
TransportThe go-to for airport runs and expat users
Less widespread than Yango in Abidjan, but still the reference for airport runs, business travel and expat users, with an interface and account that work worldwide.
Social & messaging
Zero-rated data bundles drove penetration sky-high; the groups are themselves marketplaces.
Used by 98.3% of young people — the national messaging tool
Data bundles that zero-rate it have made it the national reflex: family groups, business groups and delivery coordination all happen here.
94% of young people — home of local communities and second-hand trade
Marketplace and local groups are where people actually buy and sell used phones, furniture and vehicles. Many small businesses have no website — just a Facebook page.
TikTok
Social & messaging74.1% of young people, skewing female and under-25
Short video has become mass entertainment in Abidjan. Local creators and small shops use it to sell, and content in French or Nouchi spreads fast.
Commerce & delivery
Online shopping and same-city delivery, nearly all accepting mobile-wallet payment.
Jumia
Commerce & deliveryAfrica's largest marketplace, operating in Côte d'Ivoire for years
Phones, appliances and fashion: the catalogue is broad, payment goes straight through mobile wallets, delivery covers Abidjan and major cities, with a pickup-point and returns network.
Glovo
Commerce & deliveryRestaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies delivered in minutes
In Abidjan it covers Cocody, Plateau, Marcory and other main districts. Couriers are paid per delivery and customers settle by mobile wallet or cash.
CoinAfrique
Commerce & deliveryFrancophone Africa's largest classifieds community
Classifieds across a dozen Francophone African countries (Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal…). Used cars, rentals, phones, appliances — the lot. In Côte d'Ivoire, second-hand trade and rentals lean heavily on it, with direct buyer-seller contact via WhatsApp.
Entertainment & tools
Data cost shapes usage: data-saving modes and offline downloads are the norm.
YouTube
Entertainment & toolsThe first stop for music, tutorials and news
Data costs push users toward low definition and offline downloads. Local artists premiere their music videos here.
Boomplay
Entertainment & toolsAfrica's homegrown streaming service, deepest in Francophone music
Its catalogue covers coupé-décalé, zouglou, afrobeat and other local styles, with a data-saving mode. Hugely present on Android.
Audiomack
Entertainment & toolsFree offline listening, a hub for African hip-hop and rap
Offline downloads without a subscription — the main way budget-conscious young users listen to local rap and mixtapes.
Local services
SIM cards, travel, government services and jobs — the everyday essentials, mostly local.
Air Côte d'Ivoire
Local servicesThe national carrier, serving West Africa and domestic cities
The Ivorian national airline, hubbed in Abidjan, flies across West Africa (Dakar, Lagos, Accra…) and to domestic cities such as Bouaké, Korhogo and San-Pédro. Its site and app handle booking, online check-in and ticketing, and mobile money is accepted.
Orange Côte d'Ivoire
Local servicesOne place for SIM, data plans and account self-care
One of Côte d'Ivoire's largest operators. The My Orange / Mon Espace app handles SIM activation, data top-ups, billing and ties into Orange Money. A passport is enough to open an account in a shop — often the first thing to do on arrival.
MTN Côte d'Ivoire
Local servicesSecond operator, self-care and MoMo wallet in one
MTN is a leading operator. The myMTN app combines line management, data plans and the MTN MoMo wallet. Open an account in-store with an ID; coverage is solid in Abidjan and major cities.
Expat & travel
What newcomers and visitors reach for first: maps, translation, currency, lodging and visas.
Booking.com
Expat & travelHotels and short stays across every Abidjan budget
The international booking standard: hotels, homes and apartments in Abidjan and major cities, with free cancellation and flexible payment — the go-to for short stays and in-between housing.
Airbnb
Expat & travelShort and long stays, good for families and relocations
In big cities like Abidjan, Airbnb ranges from a room to a whole apartment — handy for a relocation phase or family trips. Check reviews and host responsiveness before booking.
XE Currency
Expat & travelLive rates and offline conversion, essential on arrival
XE gives live and offline conversion between the West African CFA franc (XOF) and euros, dollars and more — handy for quick cost estimates. The euro and XOF are pegged (1 EUR = 655.957 XOF).
MARKET DATA
A market that uses its wallet like a bank
Côte d'Ivoire is the largest e-money market in the WAEMU union. Understand these numbers and you understand why its app ecosystem looks the way it does.
109.6M
Registered e-money accounts
2025 figure, 38.51% of the eight-country UEMOA total
33.3M
Active accounts (one transaction in 90 days)
Activity rate about 32.6% — registrations are not usage
71,307bn
2025 transaction value (FCFA)
Up 39.7% year on year, 32.54% of the regional total
25.2M
Active mobile-money subscriptions (end 2024)
Orange Money ~13.8M, MTN MoMo ~8.5M, Moov Money ~2.9M
Abidjan concentrates about 60% of the country's transactions, but Bouaké, Yamoussoukro and San Pedro are growing faster. The mobile wallet is now the default way to pay: for any new app landing here, connecting to it is step one.
CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Country at a glance
CapitalYamoussoukro
Largest cityAbidjan, the economic and transport hub
Official languageFrench
CurrencyCFA franc XOF (pegged to the euro: 1 EUR = 655.957 XOF)
PopulationAbout 28.9 million (2024)
Time zoneGMT (UTC+0)
Calling code+225
Regional blocWAEMU / UEMOA
VILLES
City app guides for Côte d'Ivoire
The apps people actually use, city by city — from ride-hailing and mobile money in Abidjan to getting around and daily life in Yamoussoukro.
Abidjan
economic and transport hubThe economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire and one of West Africa's largest cities, where getting around, paying and daily life run on apps.
18+ apps
Choose a city →
Yamoussoukro
political capitalThe political capital of Côte d'Ivoire, known for the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, with a calm pace and widespread mobile money.
13+ apps
Choose a city →
GUIDES
Practical guides
Hands-on guides on mobile money, getting around, paying bills and receiving money from abroad — use the right apps and avoid the pitfalls.
Mobile Money
How to open a Wave account in Côte d'Ivoire: step by step (2026)
Wave charges 1% on transfers and 0% on deposits and withdrawals. Here is how to create an account, fund it and use it daily in Côte d'Ivoire.
6 min read
Read →
Comparatifs
Wave vs Orange Money: fee comparison 2026
Wave (1% transfers, 0% deposit/withdrawal) vs Orange Money (widest network). Comparing fees, coverage and daily use.
8 min read
Read →
Transferts
Receiving money from abroad in Côte d'Ivoire: options 2026
Friends, family or salary from overseas: compare transfers into Wave, Orange Money, MTN MoMo and bank accounts.
7 min read
Read →
Expatriés
Best apps for expats in Abidjan (2026)
SIM, mobile money, transport, delivery and admin: the app shortlist to start smoothly in Abidjan.
9 min read
Read →
Transport
Getting around Abidjan: transport apps (2026)
Yango, Heetch, Uber and public transport: prices, safety and good habits for moving around Abidjan.
6 min read
Read →
Vie pratique
Paying bills online in Côte d'Ivoire (2026)
Electricity (CIE), water (SODECI), Canal, taxes: apps and wallets to pay without going out.
5 min read
Read →
WORLD APPS
World App Directory
A curated selection of the world's most widely used, real and legitimate apps, organised by category — social, messaging, video, music, payments, transport, shopping, food, travel, tools, education and productivity.
LOCAL STORIES
Fee war
Transport
Social
App stories that only make sense here
Beyond the rankings, three local stories explain how mobile internet in Côte d'Ivoire actually works.
How Wave rewrote West Africa's payment rules with a 1% fee
After arriving in Côte d'Ivoire in 2020, Wave undercut rivals so sharply that Orange Money and MTN had to follow, and the industry settled around a 1% level. The kiosks bearing its penguin logo became the country's densest banking network. But because transfers are its core revenue, the free interoperability brought by PI-SPI puts real pressure on its business model.
Read the full story →Abidjan's ride-hailing scene: Yango, Heetch and Uber
Yango leads on price and localisation, Heetch plays the night and low-fare niche with lower driver commissions, and Uber holds the airport and business travel. Three platforms coexisting long-term in one city, each with its own core use case, is unusual in Africa. Most rides settle in cash or by mobile wallet.
The social map of African youth: who else beyond WhatsApp
98.3% of young people use WhatsApp and 94% use Facebook, while TikTok penetrates deepest among the under-25s and women. Zero-rated data bundles are close to decisive: whichever app is exempt tends to become the default. It is also why many small businesses have no website — just a Facebook page.
COMPARE
Four mobile wallets, understood in one card
Fees and caps change often; operators' latest official notices take precedence.
Wave
Best overall valueTransfer fee1% (capped at 5,000 FCFA)
DepositFree
WithdrawalFree
Merchant collectionFree for customers, about 1% for merchants
Limit2,000,000 FCFA per transaction if identified; 200,000 FCFA monthly if not
App / agent points · support 1315
Orange Money
Densest agent networkTransfer feeTiered, free in some cases
DepositFree
WithdrawalTiered, from about 100 FCFA
Merchant collectionFree on the customer side
LimitFull account: 2,000,000 FCFA balance, 10,000,000 FCFA monthly
USSD #144# · around 40,000 agent points
MTN MoMo
Free deposits & withdrawalsTransfer fee1% (capped at 4,500 FCFA)
Deposit0% (since August 2025)
Withdrawal0% (in-app, since August 2025)
Merchant collectionFree to receive
Limit2,000,000 FCFA if identified; 200,000 FCFA monthly if not
USSD *133# · MoMo app
Moov Money
Strongest cross-borderTransfer feeTiered schedule
DepositFree
WithdrawalTiered, from about 50 FCFA
Merchant collectionTiered schedule
Limit200,000 FCFA monthly unidentified, raised after KYC
USSD *155# · Moov Africa outlets
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short, quotable answers. Fees and rules follow the latest notices from operators and the BCEAO.
Which mobile money app is most used in Côte d'Ivoire?
Four wallets dominate: Wave, Orange Money, MTN MoMo and Moov Money. On fees alone: Wave charges 1% on transfers (capped at 5,000 FCFA) with free deposits and withdrawals; MTN MoMo has charged 0% on in-app deposits and withdrawals since August 2025; Orange Money's edge is its roughly 40,000 cash-out points, the widest coverage. Choose on fees, the distance to an agent and merchant acceptance together.
How much does a transfer cost in Côte d'Ivoire?
Within the same wallet, transfers are usually 1% (capped at 5,000 FCFA on Wave, 4,500 FCFA on MTN MoMo). Between different wallets, the transfer goes over PI-SPI: up to 8,000 FCFA per user per institution per day is free, and anything above that is capped at 0.8%. Receiving is always free. Operators' official notices take precedence.
Can a foreigner open a mobile wallet in Côte d'Ivoire?
Yes. A passport or residence permit is enough to open an account at an operator's outlet; once KYC identification is complete, limits rise substantially. Without full identification, accounts are typically capped at 200,000 FCFA of monthly transactions. Opening the account itself is free.
Can I receive money without a bank account?
Yes — that is exactly why mobile money spread so widely in Côte d'Ivoire. Your phone number is the account, and you can receive from any wallet for free. If you need a physical card or an IBAN, digital accounts such as Djamo, or Orange Money's Visa card, are the usual add-ons.
Which app should I use to get a ride in Abidjan?
The three split the use cases: Yango has the widest coverage and usually the lowest fares, making it the everyday choice; Heetch focuses on night rides and cheaper tiers; Uber is more reliable for airport and business trips. Most rides can be paid in cash or by mobile wallet.
What payment methods does Ivorian e-commerce accept?
Local sites such as Jumia widely accept cash on delivery and mobile-wallet payment. Bank cards are used far less than wallets. On the merchant side, aggregators like CinetPay let you collect Wave, Orange Money, MTN MoMo, Moov Money and cards through a single integration.
What is PI-SPI and how does it affect ordinary users?
PI-SPI is the BCEAO's interoperable instant payment platform, launched on 30 September 2025. Since 2 November 2026, interoperable e-money transfers within WAEMU must be routed through it. In practice: small transfers become free (up to 8,000 FCFA per day per institution), funds arrive instantly and receiving is free; above the threshold, fees are capped at 0.8%.
I just arrived in Côte d'Ivoire — what app should I install first?
Start with the operator app (My Orange / myMTN) and a mobile wallet (Wave or Orange Money). On arrival, an ID document is enough to open a SIM and a wallet at a shop; nearly all online and offline payments run through it. Then add a maps app, a translator and a currency converter.
What currency does Côte d'Ivoire use, and how do I convert?
The West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro at 1 EUR = 655.957 XOF. XE or Wise show live rates; day to day, cash and mobile wallets dominate.
Is mobile money safe in Côte d'Ivoire?
Generally reliable, but watch for scams: never share the USSD one-time code, don't accept unknown QR payment requests, and only use the official app or an authorised agent. For a large transfer, send a small test amount first.
With no local bank account, which apps let me pay and collect?
The mobile wallet alone is enough to receive free and pay any other wallet. For a physical card or an IBAN, digital accounts such as Djamo, the Orange Money Visa card or Cofina are the usual add-ons, with lower opening thresholds than a traditional bank.
Is internet and data expensive in Côte d'Ivoire?
Data is billed per MB/GB and varies by plan. Many social apps (WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube) ride free-data or cheap bundled offers, which is exactly why their penetration is so high. Get a high-volume local SIM on arrival.
For daily life in Abidjan, which apps make things easiest?
Yango / Uber / Heetch for getting around, Glovo for delivery, Jumia or CoinAfrique for shopping and second-hand, Google Maps for sharing your pin. CIE and SODECI utility bills are often settled through the mobile wallet.