The verdict in three sentences
The .ci is the trust marker of an Ivorian brand and costs about 20,000 to 35,000 FCFA per year. The .com stays the cheapest (8 to 15 EUR/year) and most universal, while the .africa positions a pan-African ambition for ~15 to 25 EUR/year. For an SME based in Abidjan, the winning 2026 combo is .ci primary + .com as a redirect.
.ci, .com or .africa: which to choose
The extension is not just an address, it is positioning. A shop or firm in Abidjan, Bouaké or Yamoussoukro gains legitimacy with a .ci. A startup raising funds or exporting combines .ci and .com. The .africa speaks to regionally focused companies.
| Criterion | .ci | .com | .africa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual price (2026 ballpark) | 20,000 – 35,000 FCFA | 8 – 15 EUR | 15 – 25 EUR |
| Local trust | Very strong | Neutral | Strong (regional) |
| Ivory Coast SEO | Advantage | Standard | Slight edge |
| Required documents | RCCM often needed | None | None |
| Reach | National | Global | Continental |
| Name availability | Good | Low | Good |
3-year cost comparison
Thinking over 3 years avoids renewal surprises. Here is a ballpark for a single extension, excluding first-year promotions.
| Extension | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .ci | ~27,000 FCFA | ~27,000 FCFA | ~27,000 FCFA | ~81,000 FCFA |
| .com | ~7,000 FCFA | ~9,000 FCFA | ~9,000 FCFA | ~25,000 FCFA |
| .africa | ~13,000 FCFA | ~13,000 FCFA | ~13,000 FCFA | ~39,000 FCFA |
Registration checklist
Registration goes through an accredited registrar for the .ci. Prepare your documents upfront to avoid back-and-forth.
| Step | To do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check name availability (whois) |
| 2 | Gather the RCCM and the manager's ID |
| 3 | Choose an accredited .ci registrar |
| 4 | Pay the annual fee (20,000 – 35,000 FCFA) |
| 5 | Validate the file (1 to 3 business days) |
| 6 | Configure DNS to your hosting |
| 7 | Enable automatic renewal |
Mini case study
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Kouassi launches a consulting firm in Abidjan. He takes cabinet-kouassi.ci (27,000 FCFA/year) as his primary address and cabinet-kouassi.com (10 EUR/year) as a redirect. Over 3 years, his domain budget reaches ~81,000 FCFA + 30 EUR ≈ 100,000 FCFA. For under 35,000 FCFA a year, he projects a 100% Ivorian credibility while securing his brand internationally.
FAQ
Is the RCCM mandatory for a .ci?
For a business, the RCCM is very generally required by the registrar. It ensures the national extension stays tied to entities genuinely established in Ivory Coast.
How long does allocation take?
Expect 1 to 3 business days once the file is complete and the fee is paid. An incomplete file lengthens this delay.
Does the .ci help SEO?
Yes, for searches targeting Ivory Coast the national extension is a favourable geographic signal that can improve local visibility compared to a generic .com.
Is a .ci or a .africa better?
The .ci for a strictly Ivorian target, the .africa for regional ambition. Many companies take both for about 40,000 FCFA per year total.
Let's talk about your project. We handle your .ci registration, registrar choice and the full go-live. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
