Large scale immigration occurred after World War I, when Lebanon came under French administration. Some 60,000 Lebanese settled in West Africa, mostly commercially minded Christians. West Africa, 14-20 August 1989, reports that in Ivory Coast, the true figures for the Lebanese population there could be as high as 200,000. The outbreak of civil war in Lebanon has changed the character and number of the Lebanese community as these recent arrivals are Shi'a Muslims. [Africa Confidential, (London: Miramoor Publications Ltd., 2 July 1980), p.6. ]

According to External Affairs, non-Africans, wanting to emigrate to Ivory Coast, need to present a letter of employment from the Ivory Coast and a bank statement to embassy officials in order to obtain a visa. Once in the country, non-Africans can stay legally on readily renewable residence permits, the length of which depends on each particular case.

In writing about Ivory Coast, West Africa 14-20 August 1989, a periodical based in London, reports that traditionally the country had welcomed immigrants and was therefore easy to enter. ["Cote D'Ivoire Portrait of an Immigrant Community, Lebanese Presence", West Africa, London: West Africa Publishing Company Ltd., 14-20 August 1989, p.1329.] To that end, Ivory Coast has accepted and resettled refugees from Vietnam, Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia and Angola by granting them 1 year renewable residence visas for the first 5 years, after which they may apply for permanent residence. [Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1988, Washington: U.S. Department of State, 1989, pp.91-92.]

Africa Confidential 26 August 1989, reports that the marriage between the President's grand-daughter and a Lebanese businessman (July 1988) has sealed the existing alliance between the President and the Lebanese community. External also reports that one could get Ivorian citizenship through a Presidential Decree, possibly entailing "contributions" to the country or by marrying an Ivorian or both; stating that each case would be treated individually.
Attached please find extracts of the following documents:

"Cote D'Ivoire Lebanese Presence", West Africa, London: West African Publishing Company Ltd. 14-20 August 1989, pp.1329-1330.

"Cote D'Ivoire: Dynasty", Africa Confidential, London: Miramoor Publications, 26 August 1989.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1988, Washington: U.S. Department of State, 1989, pp.90-93.

"Ivory Coast: African Success Story Built on Rich Farms and Stable Politics", The New York Times, New York: 26 April 1988.
(CMR) Cameroon / Cameroun