From the rumble of moto-taxis along Abidjan’s lagoon to the ochre earth and carved masks of the northwest, Ivory Coast is a tapestry of color, rhythm, and tactile craft.

Street markets spill with the scent of roasted coffee and cocoa, artisans dye cloth by hand in Korhogo, and the surf-tumbled shells of Grand-Bassam glint in the sun,  every corner offers something you’ll want to tuck into your suitcase.

Whether you’re after cocoa delights, hand-painted textiles, or carved ritual masks, here’s what to buy in Ivory Coast to bring a piece of this lively country home with you and to discover the best Ivorian souvenirs to hunt for on markets and in galleries.

1. Single-origin Ivorian chocolate

Why pick this up: Ivory Coast is synonymous with cocoa — picking up single-origin chocolate means tasting the bean where it’s grown. The bars often carry floral and fruity notes you won’t find in mass-market chocolate.
What to look for: Look for bars labeled by origin (Sassandra, San Pedro) or small-batch bean-to-bar producers in Abidjan; minimal ingredient lists and higher cacao percentages (70%+) signal quality.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 2,000–8,000 per bar.
Where to find it: Specialty shops in Abidjan (Cocody boutiques), Grand-Bassam craft stalls, and chocolate makers’ stalls at weekend markets.

2. Café Ivoirien (roasted coffee)

Why pick this up: Fresh-roasted coffee captures the highland aromas from regions around Divo and Soubre — earthy, citrusy, and intensely aromatic.
What to look for: Ask for beans roasted within the week; small roasters will often offer tasting notes and grind to order.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 1,500–5,000 per 250 g.
Where to find it: Abidjan roasteries, Marché de Treichville, and cafés in Yamoussoukro and Bouaké.

3. Korhogo cloth (hand-painted Senufo textiles)

Why pick this up: Korhogo cloth is a proud Senufo tradition: hand-spun cotton painted with symbolic motifs and natural dyes, perfect as wall art or a throw.
What to look for: Authentic hand-painted motifs (animals, ancestral signs), natural indigo or earth-dyed colors, and irregularities that show it’s handmade.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 10,000–60,000 depending on size and age.
Where to find it: Artisan markets in Korhogo, Man, and craft stalls in Grand-Bassam and Abidjan’s Cocody district.

4. Baoulé masks and brass figurines

Why pick this up: Baoulé sculptors create elegantly stylized masks and brass castings used in ceremonies — they carry cultural stories and make striking decor.
What to look for: Patina on older pieces, fine carving detail, and provenance (Baoulé region, Assembler’s name) when available.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 10,000–120,000 (small brass pieces to large ceremonial masks).
Where to find it: Bouaké markets, galleries in Abidjan, and artisan cooperatives around the Baoulé villages.

5. Kente and woven textiles (Akan weaves)

Why pick this up: Woven by Akan communities in the eastern regions, kente-style cloths bring bold color and geometric patterns — ideal for a statement wrap or framed textile.
What to look for: Tight, even weaving, bright natural dyes, and fully woven panels (rather than printed imitations).
Price bracket (2025): CFA 5,000–120,000 depending on length and intricacy.
Where to find it: Abengourou and markets in the southeast, plus textile stalls in Abidjan and Grand-Bassam.

6. Raffia baskets and straw hats

Why pick this up: Handwoven from local raffia and palm, these are functional, light, and travel-easy — perfect for picnics, beach days in San Pedro, or as storage at home.
What to look for: Tight weave, even patterns, and durable handles; brighter dyed raffia is common in southern coastal markets.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 2,000–25,000.
Where to find it: Grand-Bassam craft markets, coastal stalls in San Pedro, and artisans around Abidjan.

7. Dan and Guro wooden masks

Why pick this up: West Ivorian Dan and Guro masks are revered for their bold silhouettes and expressive carving; they’re powerful decorative pieces that reflect ritual life.
What to look for: Solid hardwood, carved detailing, original pigments, and seller provenance — avoid pieces labeled as “antique” without documentation.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 8,000–80,000.
Where to find it: Markets in Man, Guiglo region, art shops in Abidjan, and cooperative galleries.

8. Brass jewelry and small metalwork

Why pick this up: Local goldsmiths and metalworkers produce delicate brass and mixed-metal jewelry with motifs borrowed from local art — wearable pieces that age beautifully.
What to look for: Hand-hammered texture, traditional motifs, and secure clasps; brass keeps a warm glow without the same cost as gold.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 3,000–30,000.
Where to find it: Treichville arts lanes, artisanal quarters in Abidjan, and markets in Yamoussoukro.

9. Market paintings and contemporary prints

Why pick this up: Ivorians paint scenes of village life, coastal markets, and urban Abidjan in vivid palettes — accessible and packable art to remember a place by.
What to look for: Signed work, use of local pigments, small-scale canvases or prints for travel, and short bios of emerging artists.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 5,000–50,000.
Where to find it: Galleries in Abidjan (Cocody, Plateau), art collectives in Grand-Bassam, and open-air stalls at cultural festivals.

10. Shea butter and savon noir (African black soap)

Why pick this up: Rich shea butter from the northern savannah and traditionally cured black soap are excellent locally made skincare items — natural, fragrant, and deeply nourishing.
What to look for: 100% pure shea (unrefined), handmade savon noir with plant ash and plantain skins, and sellers who can explain origin and processing.
Price bracket (2025): CFA 500–5,000.
Where to find it: Local markets across Ivory Coast, health shops in Abidjan, and women’s cooperatives in Korhogo and Bouaké.

Enjoy hunting for these treasures across markets in Abidjan, the craft villages of Grand-Bassam, and the artisan towns inland — and remember that the best Ivorian souvenirs often come with a story from the maker. ✈️

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!