LGBT+ dating in Côte d'Ivoire: what London and Washington say

Ivorian legal status according to the British government

In its update of 29 May 2026, the FCDO writes that same-sex sexual activity is not illegal in Côte d'Ivoire. It adds that the law recognises neither partnership nor marriage between two men or two women.

Public indecency: the American reading

The Department of State page on Côte d'Ivoire, updated on 9 July 2026, classes these acts as public indecency, punishable by at most two years' imprisonment, the same penalty as for unlawful heterosexual acts.

No Ivorian law against LGBT+ discrimination

Both administrations agree on one point: no Ivorian anti-discrimination law covers sexual orientation. Dismissal from a job, refusal of housing or exclusion therefore have no specific remedy designed for LGBT+ people.

Same-sex couples: neither marriage nor partnership in Abidjan

London and Washington alike confirm the absence of recognition for same-sex marriage and partnership. A couple already joined abroad should therefore not count on the Ivorian authorities recognising their union.

Discretion in Ivorian public spaces

Even though the sources disagree on criminalisation, a gesture could be interpreted as indecent. Avoid public displays of affection, particularly in Abidjan's busy districts, places of worship or government offices, and stay aware of your surroundings.

Dating apps and fake profiles in Côte d'Ivoire

The FCDO reports that, in some countries, entrapment campaigns operate through popular apps. According to Washington, in some countries police officers create fake profiles to trap users. Before an Ivorian date, verify identity by video call and stay on the in-app messaging.

Taimi, the only LGBT+ app verified in our notes

According to its own website, Taimi welcomes the whole LGBTQ+ spectrum, only over-18s, with a free basic version. Its exact availability in Côte d'Ivoire is not confirmed by our sources: try it cautiously with a discreet profile.

Protecting your data and photos in Abidjan

Use a pseudonym, hide your workplace and send no photo in which your face, your Abidjan home or tattoos can be recognised. Lock your phone and delete sensitive conversations if someone close to you can look at the device.

Sextortion reported by Washington: reacting without paying

The Department of State lists sextortion among frequent frauds in Côte d'Ivoire. If someone threatens to spread images or reveal your orientation, do not pay, keep the evidence, block the contact and ask a trusted person for advice.

A trusted contact before every Ivorian meeting

Give a friend the username, the profile and the exact meeting place, then agree on a check-in message at a fixed time. Choose a public place in Abidjan or your town and keep the option of leaving at any moment.

Foreign travellers in Côte d'Ivoire: embassy and STEP

US citizens can enrol free of charge in the STEP programme and, if arrested, ask for the embassy to be notified. London promises that its consular staff will pass no judgement on LGBT+ travellers. French nationals can contact the French embassy in Abidjan.

Ivorian resources and a comparison with Ghana

The country's context is set out on our Côte d'Ivoire page, and civil marriage rules on the male-female couples page. In neighbouring Ghana, gov.uk and Washington consider these relations illegal: compare with the Ghanaian LGBT+ page.

Official guidance and an LGBT+ app for Côte d'Ivoire

• Taimi: Inclusive LGBTQ+ dating app, restricted to over-18s, free in its basic version.
• FCDO, conseils aux voyageurs LGBT+: British recommendations on app-based entrapment and consular help for LGBT+ travellers.
• Département d'État, voyageurs gays et lesbiennes: American advice: fake police profiles, the STEP programme and notifying the embassy in case of arrest.

Precautions before meeting someone from an app in Abidjan

1. Create a profile without your full name, workplace or an identifiable photo of your face.
2. Chat for several days on the app's messaging before giving out a number or a social media account.
3. Insist on a video call to confirm that the person exists and matches their profile.
4. Set the date in an Ivorian public place and tell a trusted contact the place and time.
5. Leave immediately if the other person arrives with someone else or changes the venue at the last minute.
6. Note your embassy's contact details and keep enough money for a ride home.

Status of LGBT+ people in Côte d'Ivoire by source

What to keep on you when travelling in Côte d'Ivoire

• Passport and a digital copy stored somewhere secure
• Contact details of your country's embassy or consulate in Abidjan
• Number of a trusted contact reachable at any time
• Travel insurance certificate with repatriation assistance
• Proof of accommodation in your name

Careless moves to avoid for LGBT+ Ivorians

• Sending intimate or identifiable photos to a recent contact, who could use them to demand money.
• Agreeing to a date in a private home from the first exchange, without checking identity beforehand.
• Paying a blackmailer in the hope of having images deleted: paying offers no guarantee of removal.
• Assuming the British view is enough, when Washington describes a possible criminal charge carrying up to two years.
• Posting couple photos on social media geotagged in Abidjan or elsewhere in Côte d'Ivoire.

Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueRencontres.com does not arrange meetings and never asks for money: never transfer money to someone you know only online.