Mission guide
Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan South Mission
The Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan South Mission serves in a French-speaking country centered on Abidjan, the Pearl of the lagoons.
- French
Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan South Mission shirts
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Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan South Mission T-Shirt
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Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan South Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan South Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
French is the mission language. Missionaries will also hear local French expressions and languages spoken by people from many parts of Côte d’Ivoire.
At a glance
- Country
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Main city
- Abidjan, 5,616,633 people in 2021
- Language
- French
- Time zone
- Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0)
- Climate
- Tropical savanna, with rainy seasons from March to July and September to December
- Church in Côte d’Ivoire
- 71,182 members, 23 stakes, 274 congregations
A short history of the area
The city grew quickly after a new wharf was built in 1931. The Vridi Canal opened in 1951, connecting the Ébrié Lagoon to the sea and helping Abidjan become an important seaport. Abidjan remained the country’s administrative and economic center after independence in 1960, while Yamoussoukro became the political capital in 1983.
The Church here
- 1980Lucien Affoué and Philippe Assard joined the Church in Europe.
- 1987Côte d’Ivoire was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel, and the first baptisms in the country took place.
- 1989The first district in Côte d’Ivoire was organized in Abidjan.
- 1990About 200 Saints gathered in Abidjan for the first official district conference in the country.
- 1993The Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan Mission was organized.
- 1997The Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire Stake, the country’s first stake, was organized.
- 2005Norbert K. Ounleu became the first Ivorian to serve as a mission president.
- 2015President Thomas S. Monson announced that a temple would be built in Abidjan.
Temples nearby
Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple
Dedicated May 25, 2025 · Near Abidjan
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- BonjourHello or good morning
- Comment allez-vous ?How are you?
- MerciThank you
- S’il vous plaîtPlease
Foods to try
- Attiéké (steamed fermented cassava couscous, often served with fish)
- Aloco (fried ripe plantain, commonly served with onions and chili)
- Kedjenou (slow-cooked chicken or meat stew with vegetables)
- Foutou (pounded plantain or cassava served with soup or stew)
Fun facts
- Abidjan is the most populous French-speaking city in West Africa.
- The city is considered the reggae capital of Africa.
- The Bardon Park Hotel, built in the 1940s, was the first air-conditioned hotel in francophone Africa.
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