Cameroon visa for Ivorians: e-visa, CFA francs, flights and what to eat

Abidjan and Douala have a lot in common: French, the CFA franc, a love of football and good food. Yet an Ivorian who wants to visit Cameroon has some paperwork to do, and three surprises await on arrival.

Do Ivorians need a visa for Cameroon?

Yes, for now. A visa exemption between Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon was announced in May 2026, and the agreement was presented as finalised in early June. But as of mid-October 2026, we found no announcement of its signature or entry into force. Until it's official, you need a visa.

The Cameroonian e-visa, step by step

1. Apply online on the official portal evisacam.cm, before you leave.
2. Pay: 100,000 FCFA for a short stay (an express option exists, at a higher price).
3. Answer within about 72 hours: you receive a QR code.
4. On arrival in Douala or Yaoundé, your fingerprints are taken and the visa is stuck into your passport.

Three surprises for an Ivorian

1. Your CFA francs won't work

Same value, same peg to the euro… but it's not the same currency. Côte d'Ivoire uses the West African CFA franc (XOF), Cameroon the Central African CFA franc (XAF). One zone's banknotes aren't accepted in the other. Change money before you leave or withdraw cash locally with your card.

2. One hour ahead

Cameroon is on UTC+1, one hour ahead of Abidjan.

3. English is spoken too

Cameroon is officially bilingual: French and English. You'll also hear a lot of Pidgin, especially in Douala.

How to get there from Abidjan?

There is currently no direct flight between Abidjan and Douala. Air Côte d'Ivoire makes a stop, and ASKY goes via Lomé. Expect from around 240,000 FCFA return (Travora estimate).

When to go?

December to February, the dry season: the right choice for a first trip. Avoid July to September: Douala is one of the rainiest cities in Africa, with nearly 700 mm of rain in August.

Where to go?

• Douala, the economic capital, for the atmosphere and nightlife;
• Kribi, its beaches and the Lobé Falls, which drop straight into the ocean;
• Yaoundé, the political capital, on its seven hills.

Follow official safety advice: travel to the North-West, South-West and Far North regions is advised against.

And to eat?

This is where Tchopi, from the recipe app Tchopé, takes over in the video:

• your attiéké has a Cameroonian cousin: bâton de manioc (cassava stick), fermented cassava cooked in banana leaves;
• your alloco shows up in poulet DG, "director general" chicken with fried plantains;
• try ndolé, the national dish, and eru;
• in Kribi, grilled fish, by the sea.

Tchopé brings together 140 recipes from Cameroon's 10 regions, so you can taste the country before you even arrive.

Visa, budget and a day-by-day plan: it's all in the Cameroon guide for Ivorian travellers. And to see where else your passport can take you, read Ivorian passport: 103 countries without an embassy.