Learn French in Abidjan
Abidjan is Côte d'Ivoire's economic capital and one of West Africa's busiest business centres. French is the language that links its many communities, from Plateau offices to Treichville markets.
French in Abidjan
Article 48 of Côte d'Ivoire's 2016 Constitution states that the official language is French. The country has dozens of local languages, but in Abidjan French plays a special role: it is the language most often learned as a first language in the city, and it serves as a meeting point for people of many different backgrounds. Dioula is widely used as a trade language, especially in markets. Linguists describe several layers of French here, from a standard Ivorian French close to international norms, to popular Ivorian French, to Nouchi, a street slang that emerged in Abidjan in the early 1980s and mixes French with words from local languages.
Why people in Abidjan learn French
Abidjan is home to the headquarters of the African Development Bank and to many regional offices of banks, telecoms and consumer goods companies, and almost all of them work in French. Contracts, tax forms, court documents and meetings with local partners are in French. For entrepreneurs, French is needed to deal with suppliers, landlords and customers. Students who want to join Ivorian universities need it for their courses. French also makes it much easier to enjoy Abidjan's music, food and nightlife, and to travel across French-speaking West Africa.
The French you'll hear
Ivorian French has a lively rhythm shaped by local tonal languages, and it is full of colourful vocabulary. A maquis is an open-air restaurant serving grilled fish or chicken with attiéké, a woro-woro is a shared taxi and a gbaka is a minibus. Nouchi, the city's street slang, adds expressions that change quickly and are best learned by ear. Learners should start with standard French, which everyone understands, and pick up local words gradually.
- On se retrouve au maquis ce soir ?Shall we meet at the maquis tonight?
- Un poisson braisé avec de l'attiéké, s'il vous plaît.Grilled fish with attiéké, please.
- Ce woro-woro va au Plateau ?Does this shared taxi go to the Plateau?
- Je voudrais ouvrir un compte en banque.I'd like to open a bank account.
- Pouvez-vous répéter plus lentement ?Could you repeat that more slowly?
French exams in Abidjan
The Institut français de Côte d'Ivoire, located in the Plateau district of Abidjan, runs official French certifications. Its exam registration platform lists the DELF and DALF as well as the TCF and the TEF, which matter for students heading to France and for Canadian immigration applications. Session dates and registration windows are published on the institute's exam website, so check it well before you need your results.
Check dates and fees with the exam centre directly; they change every session.
Where to start in the course
French Ultimate is an online course, so you can follow it from Abidjan or anywhere else. These topics are the most useful here:
Questions about learning French in Abidjan
Will standard French help me understand Nouchi?
Partly. Nouchi uses French grammar but many words from local languages and invented terms, so it can be hard even for other francophones. Standard French lets you understand most people in Abidjan, and local expressions come with time. Our spoken French and slang unit helps you get used to informal speech in general.
Which French certificate is useful in Abidjan?
For jobs and studies in France, a DELF B2 or DALF C1 is a lifelong diploma that employers and universities recognise. For Canadian immigration, you need TEF Canada or TCF Canada results less than two years old. The Institut français de Côte d'Ivoire lists DELF, DALF, TCF and TEF registration on its exam platform.
Will I find French Ultimate teachers in Abidjan?
No. French Ultimate has no premises, teachers or events in Abidjan; it is a course you follow online. Learn on your phone or computer at your own pace with video lessons and speaking practice, then sit DELF and DALF mock exams before booking a session at the Institut français.
Learn French from Abidjan, at your own pace
Animated video lessons that stop for your answers, speaking practice, graded stories and DELF/DALF mock exams, from A1 to C2. Start with the free placement test to see where you are.
Take the placement test