What to Do in Abidjan in October 2026: TAYC, Gadji Celi and the Grand Retour
ABIDJAN · Culture
The month, week by week.
ABIDJAN: October brings the Journées foncières land conference, a run of trade fairs, concerts by Kajeem, TAYC and Gadji Celi, and a week for the Ivorian diaspora. Most events sit at the Parc des Expositions in Port-Bouët or the Palais de la Culture in Treichville. Ticket prices run from about US$17 for the cheaper concert seats.
This is a guide for people who live in Abidjan or stay for weeks, including visitors from the United States. Prices are converted at an indicative US$1.12 per euro, which gives about US$0.0017 per CFA franc because the franc is fixed to the euro. Where an organiser has not published a price, we say so.
Key facts
- Who: residents, expats and business visitors in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
- What: more than a dozen verified events from 5 October to 7 November 2026, from a land conference to concerts.
- Biggest nights: Kajeem on Saturday 10 October, TAYC on Sunday 11 October, Gadji Celi on Saturday 31 October.
- Prices: concerts from 10,000 CFA francs (about US$17); fairs and forums mostly unpublished.
- Why it matters: the diaspora week and the savings salon are business events open to foreign investors.
5 to 11 October: land days, trade fairs, Kajeem and TAYC
Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 October
Journées foncières d’Abidjan 2026
Palais des Expositions (Parc des Expositions), Port-Bouët · Price not published; programme at afor.ci
The event opened today. The rural land agency AFOR organises it, with Senegal as guest of honour and delegations from 14 countries. It is a professional conference on securing land titles, so it suits investors in agriculture and property.
Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 October
Auto Expo, Horeca Expo, Food Expo and Agrofood & Plastprintpack West Africa
Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Port-Bouët · Price not published
Four trade shows share the same three days at the exhibition park, according to the venue’s own agenda. Expect cars, hotel and catering suppliers, food producers and packaging firms. Visitor rules are not published, so check with the organisers before travelling to Port-Bouët.
Saturday 10 October, 20:30
Kajeem, “Convocation Acte 3”, with Didier Awadi
Palais de la Culture Bernard Binlin-Dadié, Treichville · 10,000 / 15,000 / 25,000 FCFA (about US$17 / US$26 / US$43) for standard, VIP and VVIP
Ivorian reggae artist Kajeem invites Senegalese hip-hop pioneer Didier Awadi, the founder of Positive Black Soul. The organiser is Black Star Label. The previous edition in October 2025 ran for about three hours.
Sunday 11 October
TAYC in concert
Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Port-Bouët · The Tikerama listing showed tickets from 20,000 FCFA (about US$34); check current tiers
The singer stops in Abidjan on his Africa tour, after Mauritius on 8 October and Casablanca on 10 October. Buy only through Tikerama, the ticketing platform named in the listing.
15 to 17 October: licensing and local government fairs
Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October
Salon des collectivités territoriales
Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Port-Bouët · Price not published
A fair for local authorities, listed on the venue agenda. Programme details were not available when we checked.
20 to 24 October: borders, savings and the diaspora returns
Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 October
Abidjan Border Forum 2026
Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Port-Bouët · Price not published
The pan-African forum has the theme “Les peuples aux frontières: culture, intégration et sécurité”. Singer Alpha Blondy is its cultural ambassador. Delegates include African Union experts and regional bodies, so it matters for anyone following West African security.
Thursday 22 to Friday 23 October
Salon de l’Épargne, de l’Investissement et du Patrimoine (SEIP), 9th edition
Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire, Cocody · Registration at salondelepargne.com
Ecobank co-hosts the salon, which runs in person and online. This year’s slogan is “Petits pas, vraies décisions”. It is the most practical event of the month if you are planning savings or investments in West Africa.
Friday 23 to Friday 30 October
Grand Retour de la Diaspora
Several locations in Abidjan; Economic Day at Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire on Saturday 24 October · Price not published
Commissioner-general Esther Boua expects participants from banks, funds and companies. Sectors include property, agro-industry, the stock market and technology. An Excellence Gala follows on the evening of 24 October.
Saturday 24 October
Concert Milo
Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Port-Bouët · Time and price not published
The date and venue come from the exhibition park’s agenda. We found no ticket page, so treat details as provisional.
31 October to 7 November: Gadji Celi and the next concerts
Saturday 31 October, 19:00
Gadji Celi, “Apothéose”, 40 years of career
Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Port-Bouët · From 10,000 FCFA on Tikerama (about US$17)
The show closes the singer’s 40-year anniversary celebrations and is billed around national cohesion. One agenda site lists it as free, which contradicts Tikerama. Trust the ticketing platform and confirm before you go.
Sunday 1 November
Concert Mary SY
Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Port-Bouët · Time and price not published
Listed on the venue agenda for All Saints’ Day, a public holiday in Côte d’Ivoire.
Saturday 7 November
Concert Ismael Isaac
Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan, Port-Bouët · Time and price not published
Listed on the venue agenda. Check Tikerama for tickets nearer the date.
What it means for you
Business visitors get the most from the second half of the month. The savings salon on 22 and 23 October and the diaspora Economic Day on 24 October put bankers and fund managers in one hotel.
Concert-goers should buy early. Cheaper seats at the Parc des Expositions start around US$17, which is modest by US standards but sizeable for local incomes. For more on local costs, see our Abidjan cost of living guide and our Côte d’Ivoire explainer.
What is not known
Several listings give no start time or price, including Milo, Mary SY, Ismael Isaac and the trade fairs. TAYC’s Tikerama price may have changed since the listing was published. Programme details for the Salon des collectivités territoriales were not available. See more in our Côte d’Ivoire coverage.
Planning your October in Abidjan
October falls in the shorter rainy season, less intense than June, with hot, humid days and sudden downpours. Carry a compact umbrella and allow extra travel time when rain slows traffic on the bridges.
No national public holiday falls in October. The next is All Saints’ Day on Sunday 1 November, so some offices may close early on Friday 30 October. Confirm opening hours before visiting smaller shops that weekend.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to travel at night. For big shows in Port-Bouët, leave early and agree your return ride in advance. Many galleries and smaller venues take cash only, so bring some francs.
For weekly listings, check Abidjan.net, Fraternité Matin and the exhibition park’s agenda. CFA francs are tied to the euro, so dollar prices move with the EUR/USD rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest events in Abidjan in October 2026?
The largest concerts are Kajeem on Saturday 10 October, TAYC on Sunday 11 October and Gadji Celi on Saturday 31 October. Business highlights are the Abidjan Border Forum (20 to 22 October), the SEIP savings salon (22 and 23 October) and the Grand Retour de la Diaspora (23 to 30 October).
Are there public holidays in Côte d’Ivoire in October 2026?
No national public holiday falls in October. The next is All Saints’ Day on Sunday 1 November.
Where can I buy concert tickets in Abidjan?
Tikerama lists TAYC and Gadji Celi. Kajeem’s organiser, Black Star Label, publishes prices of 10,000, 15,000 and 25,000 CFA francs (about US$17, US$26 and US$43). For other shows, ask the venue or organiser.
What is the weather like in Abidjan in October?
October falls in the shorter rainy season, less intense than June. Expect hot, humid days with frequent showers and thunderstorms.
Sources: Parc des Expositions d’Abidjan agenda, AFOR Abidjan Land Days, SEIP, Tikerama, Abidjan.net (Grand Retour), Fraternité Matin (Kajeem), RTI (Border Forum). Retrieved 5 October 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief