Complete guide

How to find software developers in Abidjan

Abidjan
February 22, 2023
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Abidjan is the economic capital of Ivory Coast, and is a major port city located on the Gulf of Guinea. It is one of the most populous cities in West Africa and is a major cultural, economic, and political hub. Abidjan is home to several universities and is the country's financial and commercial center. The city is noted for its vibrant nightlife, lively markets, and diverse cultural offerings. Abidjan is also a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches, lush green landscapes, and vibrant culture. Abidjan is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Abidjan are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Abidjan you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Abidjan, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Abidjan is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Abidjan

The statistics on tech talent in Abidjan show that the city is quickly becoming a major hub of technology and innovation in Africa. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of tech startups and tech companies operating in the city, which has led to an influx of highly skilled tech talent. The city is now home to a wide variety of tech professionals, ranging from software engineers to data scientists, and the number of tech jobs in Abidjan has grown significantly in recent years. Additionally, the cost of living in Abidjan is relatively low, making it a great destination for tech professionals looking to work in a vibrant and rapidly growing tech hub.

The tech ecosystem in Abidjan

The tech ecosystem in Abidjan is growing rapidly. The city is home to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, developers, investors, and other tech professionals. Several incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces have opened in the area, and tech events such as Startup Weekend, Web2day, and the African Technology Summit are held in the city. Abidjan is also home to a number of venture capital firms, including Yibor Partners, which recently launched a $6 million fund. In addition, the government of Ivory Coast is investing in the tech sector, and the country has announced plans to create a National Digital Strategy. This strategy will focus on encouraging investment in the tech sector and increasing access to digital services.

Best tech meetups in Abidjan

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Abidjan Tech Meetup
2. Abidjan Women in Tech Meetup
3. Abidjan Python Meetup
4. Abidjan Data Science Meetup
5. Abidjan Blockchain Meetup
6. Abidjan Machine Learning Meetup
7. Abidjan Google Cloud Platform Meetup
8. Abidjan Artificial Intelligence Meetup
9. Abidjan UX/UI Design Meetup
10. Abidjan Cloud Computing Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Abidjan

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Use Online Job Platforms: There are a number of online job platforms that can help you source software development talent in Abidjan, including Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. These websites offer a variety of job postings and provide an excellent way to find and connect with potential employees.

2. Reach Out to Local Universities: Abidjan is home to a number of universities, such as Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, and Université Nangui Abrogoua. These universities are a great source of software development talent, so don't forget to reach out to them when looking for new employees.

3. Network with Other Companies: Networking with other companies in the Abidjan area is a great way to find potential software developers. Attend relevant industry events, join professional associations, and connect with other business owners in the area.

4. Use Freelance Platforms: There are a number of freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr that can help you source software development talent in Abidjan. Through these platforms, you can find experienced professionals from around the world.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Abidjan is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Abidjan

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Indeed
3. Glassdoor
4. CV Maker
5. Jobberman
6. Jobinci
7. Abidjanjobs
8. Afrilinks
9. CareerJet
10. OuestJob

Best remote job boards to find developers in Abidjan

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Upwork
3. Freelancer
4. Fiverr
5. Toptal
6. Virtual Vocations
7. Indeed
8. FlexJobs
9. Glassdoor
10. Jobberman

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Abidjan

In Abidjan, the average salary for a junior developer is around 719,948 CFA francs per month. This salary will vary depending on the type of job, the level of experience, the company, and the location. Generally, junior developers in Abidjan earn between 578,000 CFA francs and 861,000 CFA francs per month. Junior developers are typically responsible for writing code, debugging, and maintaining software applications. They may also be responsible for testing software, designing databases, and providing technical support.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Abidjan

The average salary for a Senior Developer in Abidjan is around 4,205,000 XOF per month. This includes a base salary ranging from 3,500,000 to 4,500,000 XOF per month, plus bonuses and other benefits. The salary range for a Senior Developer in Abidjan will depend on the individual's experience, qualifications, and specific job duties. Senior Developers are typically responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining software applications, and for providing technical support for users. They may also be involved in the design, development, and implementation of new software applications.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Abidjan. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Abidjan. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Abidjan.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party solution that allows companies to legally employ and manage employees in Abidjan without having to comply with local labor laws and regulations. It acts as an intermediary between the company and its employees, ensuring that all relevant taxes and contributions are paid, and that all necessary legal and administrative processes are adhered to.

1. Understand the Benefits of an EOR

The main benefit of using an EOR in Abidjan is that it allows companies to outsource the recruitment and management of employees, while still fully complying with local labor laws and regulations. This means that companies can focus on their core business activities, rather than having to spend time and resources on the recruitment and management of their employees.

2. Find an EOR Provider

There are a number of EOR providers operating in Abidjan that can provide companies with the necessary services. It is important to do some research and find a provider that is experienced, reliable and has a good track record of providing quality services.

3. Agree on Terms

Once you have found an EOR provider, it is important to agree on the terms and conditions of the services that will be provided. This should include the fees charged, the duration of the contract, the responsibilities of the EOR provider, and any other relevant details.

4. Sign the Agreement

Once the terms of the agreement have been agreed upon, the next step is to sign the agreement. This is to ensure that both parties are legally bound to the terms of the contract and that all relevant laws and regulations are complied with.

5. Manage the Employees

Once the agreement is signed, the EOR provider will then handle the recruitment and management of the employees. This includes ensuring that all relevant taxes and contributions are paid, and that all legal and administrative processes are followed.

By using an EOR in Abidjan, companies can ensure that they are operating in full compliance with local laws and regulations, while still being able to focus on their core business activities.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
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