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.
Abidjan
economic and transport hub
Abidjan is the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire and one of the largest cities in West Africa, with around 5.5 million people. Split by lagoons into several communes, it leans heavily on mobile apps for getting around, paying and daily life: Wave and Orange Money cover almost every payment, Yango, Heetch and Uber lead ride-hailing, and Jumia and Glovo handle shopping and same-city delivery. Below are the apps that genuinely get used here, grouped by need.
Mobile money
Mobile money
In Abidjan your phone number is the account. Rides, food and utility bills run through it.
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.
Moov Money
Mobile moneyAbout 2.9 million active accounts, cross-border transfers across West Africa
Moov Africa's wallet, priced on a tiered schedule. It keeps a loyal user base in areas where Orange and MTN coverage is thinner.
Djamo
Mobile moneyHomegrown Ivorian fintech: account, Visa card and savings in one app
A digital account built for freelancers and small merchants. It bridges mobile wallets and traditional banking: IBAN, physical Visa card and scheduled savings.
Getting around
Getting around
Three ride-hailing apps split the use cases; meeting up means sharing a pin.
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.
Google Maps
Entertainment & toolsAbidjan's addressing is complex, making navigation essential
Street numbering is incomplete, so a meeting point is often described as 'street X, near the pharmacy'. Sharing a pin has become standard, for meeting up and for deliveries alike.
Shopping & delivery
Shopping & delivery
The leading platforms for new and second-hand shopping.
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.
Communication
WhatsApp
Social & messaging
Facebook
Social & messaging
Communication
Business, communities and delivery coordination all happen here.
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.
Telegram
Social & messagingFirst choice for large files and interest communities
Free-data offers and unlimited file size make Telegram widespread among students, tech circles and resale groups.
Local services
Local services
Flights, operator self-care and local life services.
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.
At a glance
Abidjan — key facts
- Population About 5.5 million (2024)
- Main communes Plateau, Cocody, Yopougon, Adjamé, Marcory, Treichville
- Airport Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (Port-Bouët)
- Public transport SOTRA buses and ferries, taxis; a BRT system is under development
- Official language French
FAQ
Abidjan — FAQ
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 the airport and business trips. Most rides can be paid in cash or by mobile wallet.
What is the easiest way to pay in Abidjan?
With a mobile wallet. Wave charges 1% on transfers (capped at 5,000 FCFA) with free deposits and withdrawals, Orange Money has the densest network, and MTN MoMo has been 0% on in-app deposits and withdrawals since August 2025. Nearly every payment runs through it.
Does Abidjan have a metro?
No metro. The city relies on SOTRA buses and ferries, taxis and ride-hailing apps; a BRT system is under development. Crossing the lagoons means bridges and ferries.
How do I get from Abidjan airport to the city centre?
The airport is in Port-Bouët, about 20–30 minutes from Plateau depending on traffic. Use Uber or Yango for a fairer fare than street taxis; also change a little cash at the airport.