MISSIONS IN

Cote d'Ivoire

God is moving in Cote d'Ivoire

The State of Missions in Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d’Ivoire’s mission field is shaped by a religiously diverse West African nation where a large southern church meets a predominantly Muslim north. 33 UPGs remain, totaling about 6,548,900 unreached people; Jula is the largest listed group. Its evangelical story has distinctive roots: Twentieth-century mission societies planted evangelical churches and schools in colonial Côte d’Ivoire.

  • 32M POPULATION
  • 37.6% CHRISTIANS
  • 43.1% LITERACY
  • 33 UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
  • Jula LARGEST UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP
  • 6.5M UNREACHED POPULATION
  • Yamoussoukro CAPITAL CITY
  • Abidjan Bouaké Yamoussoukro LARGEST CITIES
  • West African CFA Franc CURRENCY
  • Tropical climate, with humid coastal forests, seasonal central rains, and drier savanna conditions. CLIMATE
  • French PRIMARY LANGUAGES
  • Islam LARGEST UNREACHED RELIGION

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God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

Around the world, God is moving through ordinary people who pray, give, go, and serve. Hold the Rope helps you discover the stories—and find your place in them. Read More

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Bible Translation Bible ministry in Cote d’Ivoire should prioritize clear Scripture access and meaningful engagement.
Church Planting Congregations grew most strongly in the south while Muslim groups remained more concentrated in northern regions.
Disaster Relief Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Education Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Gospel Access Cote d’Ivoire has 33 UPGs and about 6,548,900 unreached people; Jula is the largest listed community.
Human Trafficking Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Medical Missions Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Orphans & Vulnerable Children Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Persecuted Church Believers in Cote d’Ivoire need prayer for faithful witness, wise leadership, and endurance under local pressures.
Poverty & Justice Churches in Cote d’Ivoire can address poverty through dignifying help that strengthens families and livelihoods.
Unreached People Groups Millions still have little or no access to the gospel in their language and culture.

Active Projects across Cote d'Ivoire

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A History of God's Faithfulness in Cote d'Ivoire

The evangelical story in Cote d’Ivoire developed through several important transitions. 20th-century evangelical missions, including CMA and Baptist work, developed churches and schools; Ivorian-led evangelical and Pentecostal movements later expanded rapidly, especially around Abidjan and southern regions. What began through particular mission movements increasingly became the work of national believers who built congregations, trained leaders, and adapted ministry to local realities.

  1. Early Beginnings

    Twentieth-century mission societies planted evangelical churches and schools in colonial Côte d’Ivoire.

  2. 1900s

    Congregations grew most strongly in the south while Muslim communities remained more concentrated in northern regions.

  3. Independence Era

    Ivorian pastors and evangelists increasingly led Baptist, CMA, Pentecostal, and independent churches after independence.

  4. Modern Movement

    Civil conflict in the 2000s pushed churches toward relief, reconciliation, and ministry across ethnic and political divisions.

  5. Today

    Ivorian evangelicals now form a significant national movement while Jula and other Muslim peoples remain major mission priorities.

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