Moving to Zambia from Cote d'Ivoire

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Cote d'Ivoire to Zambia? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Cote d'Ivoire to Zambia, and you’d need to navigate life in English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lusaka averages 80°F vs 94°F in Yamoussoukro, making it significantly cooler.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zambia compared to Cote d'Ivoire.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CI
20.6
ZM
17.1

Zambia performs significantly better than Cote d'Ivoire across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

CI
$249
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CI
1.8
ZM
2.6

Zambia performs significantly better than Cote d'Ivoire across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

CI
86.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CI
0.6t
ZM
0.5t

Zambia performs significantly better than Cote d'Ivoire across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CI
1.4
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CI
5.1%
ZM
2.8%

Cote d'Ivoire generally does better on infrastructure, though Zambia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

CI
2.4%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

CI
$7,000
ZM
$3,700

Cote d'Ivoire performs better than Zambia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

CI
62.3 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CI
55.7
ZM
37.1

Zambia generally does better on family life, though Cote d'Ivoire leads in literacy rate.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Yamoussoukro Rain: 65.0 in/yr (1652 mm)
94° / 67°F

Avg. annual high / low

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Yamoussoukro Lusaka
Jan–Mar 99°/63°F (37°/17°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 94°/69°F (35°/20°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 90°/67°F (32°/19°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 94°/67°F (34°/20°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Yamoussoukro Lusaka
Jan 98°/59°F (36.7°/15.1°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 100°/65°F (38.0°/18.5°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 99°/65°F (37.4°/18.2°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 96°/68°F (35.7°/19.8°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 94°/70°F (34.7°/20.9°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 92°/69°F (33.5°/20.8°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 90°/67°F (32.0°/19.5°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 88°/66°F (31.0°/19.0°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 91°/67°F (33.0°/19.5°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 94°/69°F (34.2°/20.5°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 94°/70°F (34.7°/21.2°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 94°/63°F (34.5°/17.2°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Cote d'Ivoire and Zambia. To live, work, or study long-term in Zambia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Zambia's immigration authority.

Cote d'Ivoire passport

Cote d'Ivoire passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Cote d'Ivoire passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Zambia.
Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Cote d'Ivoire

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Zambia passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Cote d'Ivoire.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Zambia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Zambia: 0.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Zambia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Zambia performs significantly better than Cote d'Ivoire across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Cote d'Ivoire?

Zambia performs significantly better than Cote d'Ivoire across all health & wellbeing metrics. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 1.8 in Cote d'Ivoire. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Cote d'Ivoire: 43).

What's the weather like in Zambia compared to Cote d'Ivoire?

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 94°F in Yamoussoukro. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Yamoussoukro gets 65.0 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

The official language in Zambia is English. In Cote d'Ivoire, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

CI ZM
Population 28,713,423 19,642,123
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages French English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +225 +260
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110