What is the IDUFCI in Ivory Coast?
The Unique Identifier for Land Parcels in Ivory Coast (IDUFCI) is a 20-character alphanumeric code assigned to each parcel in the urban and rural land domain. Established by Decree No. 2019-221, it is the sole land registry recognized by the administrations.
Definition complete
The Identity Code for Each Parcel
The IDUFCI, established by Decree No. 2019-221 of March 13, 2019, is a mandatory unique identifier for every parcel in Ivory Coast, whether urban or rural (Article 2).
IDUFCI Structure (Article 4)
The IDUFCI is an alphanumeric code of 20 characters:
- Country Code (3 characters): international coding for Ivory Coast
- Land Registry District Code (3 characters): administrative geolocation
- Sequential Number (11 characters): capacity of 100 billion combinations per district
- Destination Code (3 characters): land use classification (urban, rural, public, forestry, industrial, or military)
- Background: a QR security code to certify authenticity
Fundamental Principle (Article 7)
Any modification to the geometric boundaries or surface area of a parcel results in the automatic and irreversible cancellation of its original IDUFCI.
Land Operations and IDUFCI
- Subdivision (Article 8): cancellation of the original IDUFCI, generation of new identifiers
- Consolidation (Article 9): cancellation of respective IDUFCIs, creation of a single identifier
- Co-ownership (Article 12): a specific IDUFCI for each co-ownership unit
Legal Status
The IDUFCI is the sole land registry reference recognized by government administrations (Article 5). Its mention is mandatory for any deed recording occupation of a parcel or creation of a real property right (Article 6).
Exemple concret
When purchasing her land in Bingerville, Awa was able to verify the authenticity of the parcel through its IDUFCI. The 20-character code allowed her to confirm the location, intended use, and complete history of the parcel with the administration.
Sources juridiques
Décret n°2019-221 du 13 mars 2019 portant institution de l'Identifiant Unique des Parcelles Foncières en Côte d'Ivoire.
Questions frequentes
Is the IDUFCI mandatory?
What happens if a plot of land is subdivided?
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Autres termes du glossaire
The ADU (Attestation de Droit d'Usage Coutumier / Customary Right of Use Certificate) is the single, secure document that replaces the former Village Certificate as of January 1, 2025. Established by Decree No. 2021-784 and secured by the SIGFU (Decree No. 2021-862), it requires a triple signature (village chief, CVGFR president, developer) and a unique IDUFCI. The ADU is not a property title: it constitutes a provisional recognition opening the path to the ACD (Arrêté de Concession Définitive / Definitive Concession Decree) — the ACD published in the Land Register IS the Land Title. In practice, the time between ACD signature and its publication in the Land Register is often longer than the official 180 calendar days (BÂTIR N°004, 2022). Published ACD = published Land Title — same legal deed, two stages.
The Rural Land Agency (AFOR — Agence Foncière Rurale) is the public institution responsible for implementing rural land policy in Ivory Coast. It oversees land certification, registration of rural properties, and coordination of boundary demarcation and surveying operations.
Legal document drafted by a notary that formalizes the transfer of land ownership between a seller and a buyer. The notarized deed of sale is mandatory and confers authenticity on the transaction.
Legal entity that must be established with a minimum share capital of 2 million FCFA held by Ivorian nationals, holding an approval from the Minister responsible for Housing and a financial guarantee from a bank or insurance company.
The alienation price is the sum that the buyer must pay to the State to obtain the Definitive Concession (ACD — Arrêté de Concession Définitive) of urban land. Calculated by an ad hoc commission, it corresponds to the market value of the parcel according to the official schedule.