Special Economic Zones and Industrial Zones in Côte d'Ivoire: the VITIB Tech Free Zone and Abidjan's Industrial Estates

When looking for factory space or an office base in Côte d'Ivoire (in West Africa, French-speaking, the world's largest cocoa producer), you will come across two main types of zone: a technology free zone with a special tax regime, and government-planned industrial zones. Their rules and the industries they suit differ considerably.

VITIB: the technology free zone in Grand-Bassam

VITIB (Village des Technologies de l'Information et de la Biotechnologie, the Information Technology and Biotechnology Village) is located in Grand-Bassam, a seaside town east of Abidjan. It is both a free zone with a special economic regime and a technology park. The operating company, VITIB SA, was founded in 2006 as a joint venture between the Ivorian government and financial partners. According to a 2021 report, the zone covers 624 hectares, of which 180 hectares are under development; tenants span telecoms, app development, computer and electrical control panel assembly, electronic document management and training, and the zone hosts three data centres.

According to the Ivorian Ministry of Economy's official website, approved companies enjoy a range of incentives, including: 0% import and export duties; duty-free import of building materials and equipment; and exemption from import inspection procedures. On the tax side, the rate is 0% for the first five years and 1% from the sixth year, with further reductions for companies employing large numbers of Ivorian staff; production inputs such as water, electricity and fuel are also tax-exempt. Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) notes that setting up in the zone requires authorisation from VITIB SA and is limited to biotechnology and information and communication industries.

Industrial zones: managed by SOGEDI

General manufacturing tends to locate in industrial zones, which are managed and developed by SOGEDI, the industrial infrastructure management and development company under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

In April 2025, a Senate committee approved a new law governing industrial zones and industrial land. According to reports at the time, the law introduces an "industrial long lease" (bail emphytéotique à caractère industriel), expressly prohibits the subletting and sub-leasing of industrial zone land, and strengthens the authorities' sanctioning powers and SOGEDI's resources.

How zones relate to Investment Code incentives

A zone is just a location; tax incentives depend on the regime that applies to you. VITIB has its own free zone regime, whereas companies in industrial zones usually need to apply separately for Investment Code incentives. The Investment Code grants different treatment across three zones, A, B and C: Abidjan falls in Zone A, which offers the fewest incentives, while Grand-Bassam is in Zone B.

One line for Asian companies

If you work in software, data or biotech, consider VITIB; for manufacturing and processing, first ask SOGEDI about available industrial land and lease terms, then plan your incentives under the Investment Code.

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References: Économie ivoirienne – La Côte d'Ivoire dispose-t-elle de zones franches ? (2023); CIO Mag – Zone franche de Grand-Bassam (2021); GTAI – Côte d'Ivoire: Investitionsrecht (2025); AIP – Zone industrielle de Yopougon (2026); KOACI – Réhabilitation des zones industrielles de Koumassi et Vridi (2024); Team France Export – Akoupé-Zeudji PK24 (2026); KOACI – Loi sur les zones industrielles (2025); CIVLII – Décret n° 2018-647