What is a land sale promise?
A preliminary contract by which the seller undertakes to sell their land to an identified buyer at an agreed price within a specified timeframe. The promise is often accompanied by payment of a deposit (10 to 20% of the price).
Definition complete
The Commitment Before Sale
The promise of sale is a preliminary contract that sets the conditions for the future transaction. It protects both parties by securing:
- The agreed price
- The timeline for the definitive sale
- The suspensive conditions (obtaining financing, etc.)
- The deposit paid as security
Deposit
The deposit (or immobilization fee) typically represents 10 to 20% of the sale price. It is paid to the notary who holds it until the definitive signature.
This general framework under ordinary contract law is distinct from Capital Foncier's reservation deposit: 10% of the price, with a floor of 500,000 FCFA and a cap of 2,000,000 FCFA, credited against the price and refundable under the conditions set out in the reservation contract. The full process is described on the How to buy page.
This general framework under ordinary contract law is distinct from Capital Foncier's reservation deposit: 10% of the price, with a floor of 500,000 FCFA and a cap of 2,000,000 FCFA, credited against the price and refundable under the conditions set out in the reservation contract. The full process is described on the How to buy page.
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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.